How much would you be expected to pay for this role?

[UnlawfulBananaPeeler]

I’m looking for someone to watch my children for 4 hours (or less) after school Tuesday-Thursday. School is two minutes walk. I have two children, they would be expected to be in my house most likely.
All they would have to do in the time they’re watching the children is give them a snack and maybe do some homework.
Any idea what hourly rate I should charge?

In your house would be a nanny. Have a look on childcare.co.uk and you will be able to see local after school nannies in your area and get an idea of rates of pay locally.

Where in the country are you? You’d pay more in London than Wales.

I’d guess around £10-12 an hour outside London. Remember as an employer you need to deduct tax and provide pension, maternity leave etc.

The thing is, those are very particular and short hours and won’t pay enough for anyone to draw a salary. They will also struggle to get work prior to 3pm on Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday or on a Monday or a Friday to pick up extra cash, so finding someone willing to work just those hours might be very difficult. If they don’t already work full time, they probably have children of their own to look after.

A childminder in their own home might be far easier to find.

I was thinking about it being awkward to find a job around the hours I needed. I was maybe thinking of a mum who did school pick ups, I’d be happy for them to bring their own children with them.
I’m in the Northwest, between Manchester and Liverpool.
I did post on childcare.co.uk . It’s so hard to work out work when neither me nor my partner work set hours . I’m only just going back to work since 2015 because I couldn’t afford childcare for two children under school age.

Do you know anyone at your children's school who may want extra hours eg a TA or dinner lady/person?

I did this for several years while getting my PhD. I was on £10 per hour in Aberdeen. It worked well as a student job as it was much more fun than working in a supermarket and worked very well for the family because as I was a PhD student I could if necessary drop everything and rush round to look after the child if she was ill. I also did evening babysitting and holiday care.

Also because I didn't have kids of my own if the parents were held up at work it wasn't a problem.

I did think maybe TAs , I do remember however when I worked in a nursery we’d have to a certain amount of gap between finishing work and childminding. I don’t know if that still applies. Maybe I could ask in school

You might get a TA who wants extra money to do it. I would expect to get £10-£12 an hour if I went after a job like that. You need to consider what would happen in school holidays too. A TA might be interested as I know a lot look for work in play schemes etc in order to boost their wage. Although the wage is spread over each month TAs are only paid term time now.

School holidays I could take my youngest to work with me and my eldest can go to holiday club. But maybe if I have someone with the time they could look after both children.
It’s all so confusing !

Isn’t that closer to babysitting, rather than nannying, in terms of hours.? There is a large university near me and I know that some post grad students do that sort of timing as a small job but they are only there for 1-2 years. Phd students , there for longer, might find it works for them .

Ha ha crossed posts. Decide what you want then print it out and if the Headteacher is willing ask if you can put it on the noticeboard. I had a doctor ask me if I knew anyone. Again it was different hours and days each week. I was a bit tempted myself.

Printing it out for school is a good idea!

Help appreciated please! I have been caring for 4yr old for 18 months. When I took the job the contract stated 25hrs per week, more during holidays and sickness. The rate of pay was very low and duties included collecting child from school, cooking and feeding her, playing with her, teaching her English and basic maths, translating for parents with school. Taking care of pet dog whilst on duty.

Contract stated 1 months notice on either side. Unfortunately last summer holidays mother asked if I would lower rate to less than 1/2 normal rate for school holidays. I could not so she sent child to another minder for a month.

I began to seek alternative position but missed out on two offers as I insisted I should honour the 4 weeks notice period with current family.

They have now told me they will be unable to employ me after end of February (one week's notice) due to their financial situation changing. Whilst I sympathise I am appalled that they are only offering to pay me one week's notice, does this frequently happen to nannies? Can somebody please advise me how to deal with this without risking them refusing me a reference? Thank you very much

Why not use a childminder? the cost would be around £20 per child but no employment law to worry about and they may do a proper tea. There also registered inspected and insured.