I’m confused

[Itsapiratelifeforme]

I’m going to need after school care for two children. It’s only for a couple of hours per day, although not everyday.

Who do I need? What if they have after school commitments too? Is this a nanny?

Is there no after school club they could go to?

If not, what about a child minder who collects from your school?

I don’t think I could ask a childminder as they would have other children so couldn’t take mine to their extra curricular activities.

Not all cm would have other commitments. Some afterschool care providers collect from schools, espe ially if there is no onsite provision.

Yes you need an after school nanny. How easy this is to find will depend where you live/ age of children (Would a student do) / how many hours you can offer / how much you can pay.

You need a nanny, if you wa t them to take your dc to activities.

You might need to forgo their extra curricular activities or rearrange to weekends.

So, if I find an after school nanny/student what would I need to look for (qualifications etc), A student wouldn’t have the same qualifications or experience - which is fine I guess, if I knew the student. Would it be like having a babysitter?

I didn't realise you meant your children had after school commitments, sorry. Yes, a nanny then. I'm not sure you'll be able to be that picky with qualifications for a couple of days a week for a few hours though. I dont think qualifications are really important anyway, more that they fit in with your family, have some experience, are sensible and you trust them.

Yes, the after school commitments makes it tricky but you’ve all been very helpful.

Thank you

Local sixth form student might do this. Do they need to drive?

Remember that a nanny or babysitter (anyone other than a childminder who has special exemption) can not use their own car as they wont be insured so would need to use public transport or a taxi unless you provide a car.

@jannier very easy and cheap, sometimes free, for a nanny to add business insurance for their car.

jannier that’s not true. You just need business insurance.

Would it be like having a babysitter?
Not really assuming you want commitment. With a babysitter you book them for one specific occasion, you may or may not book them again in the future. You are wanting someone to come on a permanent basis during term time. So it's a job you are offering someone and you want them to be committed to doing that job.

You can choose whomever you like, they don't have to have any relevant training or experience. However you will probably want someone who has done this of thing before, who gets on well with your children, who is reliable, who can get your children to after school commitments (so will they need to be a driver, will they need their own car, will they need suitable car seats or will you provide?).

It is a couple of hours per day and probably is term time only - though maybe you will want other help during school holidays? So it is not going to appeal to very many people but you might find someone local. I would advertise it as an after-school nanny position and see what interest you get. I found both my current part-time jobs via www.childcare.co.uk