Does this kind of childcare exist?

[LaTrucha]

I am just going back to work after a period as a SAHM, so I am a bit clueless about childcare. My dream job has come up and I would like to apply for it, but it involves about 8-10 nights away from home a year. My husband travels frequently, and we have not family around, so I could be really stuck for childcare.

Is there any type of childcare that would do occasional overnight stays, either in my house or theirs. I probably would have quite alot of notice of nights away.

If it does exist, what is it called and how would I find it in my area?

Also, roughly how much might it cost?

Thanks in advance.

A childminder?

I think it's called grandparents!

You can get live in nannies or au pairs, though you'd need to hire them full time, not just when you're away.

Assuming you want FT childminder or nanny who would do over night stays in addition to usual hours?

Basic facts: Where are you? How many children do you have? What are their ages?

Do childminders usually do overnighty type things?

Neither of the others is an option, I'm afraid.

I'm no longer childminding but when I did, I did regular overnight stays for £50 per night per child (hours 6pm - 8am), however, this was for children who were already in my care and knew me well.

You can book nannies to do one off overnights.

Very few childminders do overnights - it would just be a matter of ringing around those who are local to you.

You should be able to find a temp nanny, you're really just looking for an overnight babysitter.

Looney that is very cheap - it's a wonder you didn't have a housefull all the time

OP don't expect to get it anywhere near that cheap!

Both of us travel for work. DH lots, me occasionally.
Whoever gets the date in the diary first, travels that week.
Generally works for me - occasional travel, but for things that are planned in advance - such as conferences. So, DH just says he can't go that week.

I do know a couple at work who also work this method, and have had some hairy moments with both out of the country, with one supposed to be landing before nursery shuts!

Depends on how flexible the travel is!

Thanks for that. So, how would one go about looking for that? Telephone directory?

LOL, my standard rate was £75 per night (South East) but I had 2 mindees who I was booked for often (both started with me at 8 weeks old so part of the family!) and when times got tough, reduced the rate for them in order to encourage more bookings overall as it was easy for me and my kids loved them staying . I even had them both stay on the same night once (never again! LOL) and sometimes had them for 3/4 days & nights so we were all happy. But yes, a lot would charge more.

Telephone directory?? Do they still exist??

I'd use childcare.co.uk if it were me.

Have a look on gumtree, op, or place an ad yourself.

DCs are 5 and 3 BTW. It's not looking promising, is it?

Try your local Family Information Service.

LaTrucha, your local authority might have a list of childcare providers. When you visit childminders you can ask about occasional overnights.

Sitters.co.uk might provide overnight babysitters too.

I would encourage you and DH to coordinate diaries as much as possible to minimise cost and organisation. Remember both parents are entitled to request flexible working etc.

Thanks for website info.

Try your local council - should have a children's information service who can give you details.of childcare providers.
The nursery nurses from my dcs nursery used to do this, but as a separate arrangement with parents not advertised by the nursery ifykwim. Think if you will also be needing regular daytime childcare you may well be able to get them to help cover. If not, agency nanny would probably be best bet for occasional over nights.

Isn't it like proxy parenting? Try a nanny agency.

Thansk for that. DS does go to a nursery and DD went there before school. Do you think it would be out of order to ask, and if not, would you ask individuals or ask management?

I'm a cm who offers overnights too, my friend is a nanny and does overnights. Def place an ad on childcare.co.uk and try FIS.

I'm a CM and I do occasional overnights for my regular mindees.

I know someone who pays their housekeeper to stay overnight occasionally if business trips require it. This person works for them anyway doing cleaning and housework and I think she charges about £65 per night to stay over and deal with the toddler if she wakes. There are agencies that offer actual night nurse care but I'm not sure that's what you need?

Nannyjob is another website that might yield some leads.

I work in a pre-school and although I've never done it I'd be willing to do overnight babysitting for children and siblings at my setting if asked so I don't think there is anything wrong with enquiring there.