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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Can i ask a childminder a few questions please?

10 replies

fairyfly · 04/05/2006 08:08

Is it common practice to find a childminder that would just do school pick ups and take kids to after school activities?

Would it be difficult to find a childminder that would only be looking for 3 til 6?

How much time should i give myself to find one and secure a place. Do you need to know quite far in advance what bookings you are taking.

Thankyou.

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LoveMyGirls · 04/05/2006 08:13

i dont know about taking kids to after school activities i guess that would depend on what the childminder already does and if it would fit in with the children she already minds.
but finding someone to just have them after school should be ok. i would start looking as soon as you can because it gives you time to find one that you really like and your child will have more chance to settle (go to a couple of sessions when you are around to pick up if neccessary)
i hope ive made sense.

Original poster

fairyfly · 04/05/2006 08:17

Thankyou.

I don't really like the thought of my children missing out on their hobbies because i cannot get home in time. Perhaps a mothers help would be more suitable.

OP posts:

batters · 04/05/2006 08:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Isyhan · 04/05/2006 09:48

Im not sure any CM could take your kids to after school activities. Not with potentially 3 under 5's in tow! Could you? You may be better with a different type of childcare.

Booh · 04/05/2006 12:36

I do take after schoolers to after school things - I just plan what I am going to do with my other mindees!

For example - one girl goes to gymnastics and if the weather is good we go to the park next door, if not we have afternoon tea in the cafe at the leisure center!

So ring a few and ask!

Original poster

fairyfly · 04/05/2006 14:03

I'll ask around when i get a list of names, thankyou.

It would be wonderful to find an afterschool club that did Karate and swimming.

OP posts:

bigisbeatifull · 04/05/2006 17:46

i do take after schoolers but i dont take to activities. i would be forever in the car and thats not fair to the others.

ThePrisoner · 04/05/2006 20:45

Lots of childminders will just do school pick-ups, I certainly do. Some of my mindees like to do afterschool activities (based in the school) but, as I have a 3 mile drive to the school I collect from, it isn't really viable to pack everyone back in my bus to collect someone. I guess it would be something I'd consider if I was walking distance.

The parents tend to either organise their work schedule differently, if possible, or make arrangements with another mum.

ayla99 · 05/05/2006 16:19

I do after school pickups and have taken children to football, brownies etc. It depends on the time & location of the activity - I've had to decline some requests as I would have been to-ing & fro-ing to school 6 times after the school run! Not fair on those not participating the activities and impossible to fit a dinner in between.

Also i've had on occasion more children than seats in the car so I only agree to those activities I can reach on foot.

Skribble · 08/05/2006 00:13

I was wondering a very similar question, but I think I will have to buy MIL a car so she can do the after school activities .

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