Best childcare option?

[purplewomble]

All four of my kids are now at school full time and I am considering going back to work part time. I would need care from approx 8am (so to do school run) and 2.5 hours after school.

I'm debating an au pair- but i'm just not sure. a) because they are inexperienced and I think four children for someone with no experience would be a bit much b) language barriers and c) it isn't "long term" and I want stability for the children rather then them having different child carers ever 6 months for the next 7 years.

how about a nanny/housekeeper? even if you have a cleaner, having 4 kids will amount to lots of washing in clothes/bed sheets etc

plus could cook during day as sure there are after school activities/homework to sort out so a dinner already made and just shoved in oen, ie lasagne/jackets/fish pie/chicken casserole etc could be done

plus again with 4 always more of a chance one will be ill/have baker day/fall over etc so handy to have someone at home - could you come home asap if school rang

Not all days will be school days, what would you need on the other days such as during school holiday?

If you are working part time, would care be needed every day Mon-Fri?

Consider how something could be made into a viable job for someone. The split hours can be a pain to some people but not to others. Adding some household chores may make things easier for you and make the job more attractive if someone is needing to work a certain number of hours, earn a certain amount.

Who would it appeal to? Someone doing study. Someone who does not need to work but wants to work. Someone who wants time away from their own home. Someone who has daytime interests which timewise fit with school hours.

I'd suggest either a nanny or a childminder. On one hand with a nanny/housekeeper your children may get more one to one time and build a closer relationship, however it may be hard to find someone for such limited hours also a nanny would be the cheaper option as they charge per hour notnper child. A childminder is a good option, many are avaliable to pick children up from schools/nurseries and care for at their house which will usually be set up with all relevant equipment toys etc. I personally went to a childminder with my brother and enjoyed it greatly. Childminders charge per child.

The best option is probably a nanny/housekeeper.

No need to worry about getting them up and out in the morning or picking them up after work.
They can carry on with after-school clubs/playdates.
Looked after in their own home.
Can get on with homework etc.
Sickness/school closure/school holidays/medical appointments all covered.
Help with household jobs you may struggle to fit in if you're working (laundry, cooking, shopping, light cleaning, changing beds, dealing with kids stuff etc.)

A nanny/housekeeper will be pricey, but as you have four children it may work out comparable to a before/after-school childminder.

I am a nanny/housekeeper and a role like this would be appealing to me. I think you would be able to find one quite easily if that's the route you decided to go down.
And if it's not Monday-Friday, a nanny could easily find another job for the spare days in the week if they needed to make some more money. I did this for 3 years - I was live-in and worked 3 days for this family, then worked 3 days as a daily nanny for another 3 families.

Thanks all. How many hours would you say I should offer- and what would be reasonable for them to do in terms of "housekeeping"?

What hours would you be working?
Housekeeping wise, I think any general day to day tasks in the house that you would do as a parent is fine to ask for. I currently do all cleaning, laundry, ironing, cooking. But also organise/supervise workmen, walk dog, take phone messages, food shopping....the list goes on! :)