Is this realistic? Would you do this job?

[ThisMustBeMyDream]

I'm a midwife in a panic. From September I have no childcare. Currently have a Nanny, but she leaves in September as both our youngest children start school (she lives 30 mins away so she will be taking her own child to school where she lives).
I work shifts. I need childcare cover for 2 days a week 7am-9am to take to school.

How would you advertise this? Given that the days would change each week (minimum 4 week notice of days to be worked).

I'm happy to pay a premium. But what? Going rate here for an experienced Nanny is £9. If I paid £12.50 this would be £50 a week. I could ask for a Nanny/housekeeper and add an extra hour ironing and cleaning to make it more attractive? That would be £75 a week.
They could bring their own child. It may suit someone whose children attend the same school as mine.
What would you do? I can't afford much more than the above figures, but do desperately need to find someone who can do this.
If I don't, I'll lose my career basically.
FYI: I am in a small north west town. Agencies etc aren't a thing. Nanny use is incredibly low.

What about a childminder who drops off at school? Either pay for whole week and don't use it or pay whatever the minimum days she will allow?

That will be about 50-70? Even if you're paying whole week?

Do you have some kind of parents newsletter or something at school where you could advertise?

Can you share a childminder with another parent? Is there a school fb group or similar where you could ask?

Ooops, should have added, there are no childminders at all who drop and collect at the school.
I've been looking for a very long time.
I spent the last 18 months campaigning for an after school club, which will finally be up and running in September. There is breakfast club but it only staets at 7.30. I have to be in work 30 mins away for 7.30 (non negotiable).
There is a news letter but I have never seen it used by parents. No Facebook group or anything.
You'd think I live in the back of beyond. It is a town with over 300,000 residents!

Is an au pair an option?

Ask your current nanny why they took the job, as you want to know what appealed about it to them thus can look for someone like them. Though maybe this new role is different to what your current nanny works.

Half the problem is that it’s shifts so days vary

If you knew it was the same 2 days a eeek that someone could plan

I would prob ask a schoo friend mum very very very nicely if they would take them

You are asking 2 mornings

How much do your shifts vary and how far in advance do you know them

Current arrangement is 2 set days 7am-8.30pm with me paying for 6 hours that the kids are in school.

It's crippling me financially. I'm paying someone to sit in my house when there isn't anything for her to really do. It can't continue.

I won't be able to have set shifts again as it wasn't a permanent arrangement. I've covered the latter end of the day from Sept (after school club finally running after much campaigning from me). But I can not cover the mornings. I could be on days or nights (same hours as above). 4 weeks notice, sometimes a little longer.

No school mum friends as my child has additional needs meaning he isn't social.

Au pair isn't an option as there is a teenager in the 2mx2m box room, and 2 little ones sharing a room. No spare space at all.

Teenager... are they an option? Combined with before school club they would only be doing 7-7:30ish, mostly walking the younger ones to the before school club.

What happens in school holidays?

Where I live we have several active community Facebook sites where people post about these kind of things. Anything like that?

Is it 16 hours? Sounds perfect for a single mom

I would go more for a person who can also do a bit of cleaning for you to make it worth while coming out to work on those two days. I am sure if you pay a good hourly rate someone will snap your hand off especially if you say they can bring their own child/baby with them. Pop down the local mother and toddler group and ask around.

Just realized you mention a teenager. Is the care needed for them to or are they able to fend for themself?

This is too obvious, but no chance they could see to the two littles before school? Or are they not at a responsible enough age or start at the same time themselves? Or mention it as I used to walk both my younger siblings to school before going to high school myself. My mum got them ready but I got them out the door so to speak.

How old is the teenager? Could you go onto nights for a bit?

Drop Dc off at school, go home to sleep and pick them up from school if teenage dc can't/won't.

I did this for years. My trust is really good for family friendly and I have an excellent matron.

Can the teenager help?

Pay the teenager to get the two younger DCs to school and then they head to their own school.

Or get the teenager to cast around for someone they know/someone in school who may live close who would be willing to do this.

I would say there is probably a hard up mum at the school that would jump at the chance. It’s finding her.

Can you advertise in the school newsletter? Put an advert in the local paper or newsagents window?

This is better money than a couple of hours as a dinner lady a day.

Our town has a childminders Facebook page. I know you said no childminder drops off at your school but have you looked for a local page? Someone may be able to help or know someone who can help.

Also consider setting up a school Facebook page or year group ones. Check with people on PTA that one doesn't already exist (they will know) and hopefully people will join quickly - ours is booming and people always ask this sort of thing. People are always swapping help.

I agree that there will be a mum somewhere would could do with the extra money and would happily help. I would certainly do it (alas I'm in the SE). It's finding that person though.

I am sorry you are struggling to fill this job.

Braindump:
Are there any cleaners in the area? Or perhaps carers agencies? What about the job centre? Is there a job club? Are there any nurseries who start at 9 that perhaps some of the nursery workers would do a few extra hours? Could you contact the local colleges, especially those with early years courses?

My sister advertised for a 'mothers help' offering 10 hours a week and got an angel who was actually called Angela. She had her own family but they were old enough to fend for themselves for a couple of mornings. You could offer minimum 6 hours negotiable.

I hope you find someone.

Hi op, I echo others about the teenager, how old are they? You could even pay them some pocket money.

Are you a single parent? If not, does your partner have any leeway with work?

Have you tried childcare.co.uk? Just be clear on what you need. My nanny, who works after-school for us, used to do drop offs for another family in the morning. We found her on the childcare site too.

If you made it 4/5 mornings it would be regular. Or 2 longer mornings each week to give you some housekeeping time as well, that might increase your odds.

How old is your teenager? Could they drop them at breakfast club and then get themselves to school?

I have this problem also so watching with interest! I have been able to say what days/ nights I can work by being completely flexible at weekends I have got to the position of only needing childcare Monday’s day and Thursday mornings. Ie I can work Sunday night or a long day Monday and a night Wednesday. I do work weekends a lot but that seems to keep my manager happy and childcare manageable. What do you do when after school club closes? Ours only gos until 6pm and I don’t get home until 8.45pm. I have to get DH to work from home if I do a long day on a Monday. ( I have a pre schooler and 2 school age children)

I have had a similar arrangement with a mum with older children. I drop with her, she supervises hers and mine over brekkie - then hers walk themselves to secondary school and she walks mine to primary.