Is this workable ?

[UnderHerEye]

Hi, I’m looking for a bit of advice about a childcare option i think may work best for my situation- but I don’t know if it’s realistic or not!

In a few months I may be able to go to full time work, but will need wraparound childcare for DD6 and DS8, now DS has ASD and ADHD and I think the best way to proceed will be a childminder who soley watches them - so the role would be 3 hrs a day - 7.30-9 (including a school drop off) and 3.10-4.30 (including a school pick up) ideally in our own home (school is a ten minute walk away)

Is this a realistic option or absolute pie in the sky?

Also going rate where I am for before/after school childcare is £2-3 per child, as I’m asking for 1 to 2 childcare I would hope £8 per hour would be a ‘fair price’ - is that reasonable?

Any thoughts welcome !

I think you may struggle to find childminder willing to come to you home for just those hours as it would severely limit other childminding opportunities for the rest of the day. I'd try and find a childminder in their home who does school runs but maybe one who has fewer children if you think lots will be too much.
I had an au pair who did drop offs and picks for slightly fewer hours than you need but you obviously need a spare room too.

thanks for posting - I have been wondering if it is a bit of a pipe dream!
Don’t have spare room so au pair wouldn’t work, but maybe I need to think about a part time nanny arrangement

Thanks for the advice

If the children are being cared for solely in your home and there are no other children then she would be considered a nanny and not a childminder. This means you would be her employer, and would have to think about a pension (compulsory unless she opts out) and insurance. You would also have to pay her PAYE and pay the tax and NI to HMRC every quarter.

The arrangement you describe is a Nanny arrangement and you would need to pay at least minimum wage (so £8 would be okay now, but minimum wage rises above this in April). I pay my Nanny £8 as this is usual in my area, but in many areas the Nanny rate is far higher per hour.
I have looked for childcare 7am-9am, 3pm-8.30pm for a nanny (twice a week) and no one wants to do split days like that. I ended up paying for the entire day as it was that or give up my career.

Yes childminders don’t work in families homes. We work in our own.

If the care is in your own home it would be a nanny you need. It might be hard to get one for such limited hours though. I our area they would also charge quite a lot more than £8 per hour. The cost of a school before and after school club can't really be compared to the cost of 1 to 1 care for 2 children with additional needs.
You are more likely to find a childminder who will provide care in their own home and will have other children they are caring for at the same time. Usually they will have upto around 6 children in their care at any one time. Childminders usually charge per hour for each child. The hourly rate depends upon your local area.
How are your children in a small group? You would need to let the childminder know about their additional needs so they can properly assess if their setting is suitable for them.

I'd look for a student doing a childcare course or perhaps a retired woman. It's 15 hours a week so it won't affect any benefits.

Put an ad on childcare dot co dot uk - if you get replies, you can pay for a month's membership to read them.

I don't think anyone would want to do that job for such a low hourly rate of pay.

The conditions are poor as they will need to get to your house 2 times a day for 2 very short shifts. They also need to be available for 2 shiftss within a 10 hour period. This doesn't free them up to be able to find a second job that will top up their pay of £120 per week, term time only.

Would you think this job was attractive?

You either need to increase the hourly rate or find a childminder who can take on other children to increase their hourly rate that way.

Thanks for the constructive advice all given me a lot to think about.

I'm not sure why you think a normal take to a childminder routine is out of the question? Many of us work the hours you want with school children and have the experience and training to care for a variety of needs?

That’s a fair point jannier , it’s mainly based on the need to keep our routines as ‘normal’ as possible, and a calm and quiet environment

Do you have to start early? If you took them to school presumably you would then need 3pm-6pm or similar, so a more standard after school nanny shift which might be easier to find?

I would at least try a childminder first (maybe before you commit to going full-time).
You may well be able to get a nanny for the morning slot, but the afternoon one too for such short hours will be really difficult.

Thanks, that’s a good idea about trying it out before i commit to going ft.

Also some good food for thought about starting later.

Thanks everyone

I've had several ASD children in the past settling is done gradually and things are kept as near to home routine as possible if you find the right person it can be very successful your local council may know of cm's who have had training and experience to help support you.

Some of the special needs assistants in our school also work in the breakfast and after school club, it might be more attractive for someone like that?

Like pp said, it's very short e.g. only 1 hour 20 min after school, so 10 quid something for the afternoon? Is finishing earlier or starting later an option so you only need before or after school care?