After School Care

[GeraldineFangedVagine]

Hi all, firstly I'll just admit I am clueless. My son starts school this September and as I am currently on mat leave I will pick up and drop off. My question is, after January, when I return to work, will it be possible to find someone who just picks up after school and does a few hours care till I finish work (from 3.30-6.00 say)? If such childcare exists, is it usual to just pay for the days your child is cared for and not in holiday times or summer holidays for example?
Thanks in advance for your replies :)

It depends if anyone wants to work just those hours during school term time. It may suit someone but be prepared that it may take a while to find.

Term time only jobs certainly exist, you would still need to pay some holiday entitlement but would not be the same as paying all year round.

Thanks for your reply. Have you any idea where to find people who offer that sort of care, is it usually word of mouth? My work has a nursery so I am used to him going from 8-6 so this is all new to me. Apologies for my ignorance :)

Try your family information service. They should be able to help.

Lots of childminders would provide this service. School pick up and dinner provided. It's common to drop a child off at minder's early they give them breakfast and take them to school too.
There will be a website with a directory of childminders for your area

Finding a nanny to do it could be quite hard, try local places like community newsletter.

Family Information Service can give you a list of childminders. If they ask for a postcode, give the school postcode, as then you get a list of those near the school.

A childminder will probably be your best bet, probably cheapest option as well. Every childminder will have their own terms, so check what the fees are for a term time only contract - there may or may not be anything to pay during school holidays.

Thanks so much everyone for your replies. I know its ages away but I am a big worrier. This has been a really helpful thread.

My cm does this for both my boys. I am a teacher, so I have a term time contract with her. They have breakfast at home, I drop them off at 7.30am, then they have tea at the cm's an I collect at about half 5, but she opens til 6.

Would a nanny work out cheaper for you so she/he would do the before and after school/school hols for your older one and all day care for your youngest. I assume you are currently planning on putting the youngest into the work nursery.

Would also mean no having to get them both up and ready before work as the nanny would sort them out for you etc.

I can drop him at breakfast club at 8 and hopefully my work will agree to a 9 o'clock start. The school doesn't accept reception children for after school club.The little one will hopefully go to my work nursery (I am NHS).