Not a nanny, not a childminder... what is a person who looks after schoolkids in their own home in afternoons?

[Legacy]

We're investigating getting some after-school help for a couple of days a week, but struggling to understand what it is we are really looking for...

Sorry for the ignorance (all new to this...) but my perception is that:

• a nanny is (usually) an NNEB or similar qualified person, especially suited to very young children. Lives in or out of child's home. Provides full care for (mostly) full days.

• a childminder is also (differently?) qualified. Is registered to have children (often lots of them!) in her own home?

But what we want is someone for only about 3 hours a day, 3 - 6 pm-ish to collect our kids (only) and look after them at our home, after school.
I'm willing to consider someone who doesn't have a formal qualification, but perhaps relevant experience e.g. own grown up kids, or teaching experience etc.

I don't really mean an au-pair type of person either - prefer someone who could be quite hands on with the kids/ help with grammar homework etc

But how would I describe this 'kind of person' if I were to advertise?
Would they need to be self-employed, or would I have to employ them?
What sort of rate would I expect to pay?
How would I go about finding them?

Have realised that I really don't have a clue about this! Are there any useful websites?

Ive done this for four years, have advertised in local shops for "after school childcarer" and usually attracted older women with older children, occasional students. The most recent one was when I answered an ad on gumtree, shes a second year university student looking for a bit of extra work and so far (second week) seems lovely.
Im only offering/need nine hours per week, so not enough for some and the turnover is quite high Ive found.
All you can do is take up references and rely on gut instinct.
Yes, you do have to be an employer, inevitably if they have another job, but if it`s only a few hours per week and their only job there is unlikely to be any tax or NI liability.
Hope that helps.

She`s very keen on supervising homework (hooray!) and was happy with £7 per hour gross. She had previously been paid £6 for similar care of younger children. This is in the Midlands (urban)

i advertise on gumtree for "after-school childcare" and describe the duties required. i don't get hung up on the job title. we've been most successful with undergraduate students, and least successful with p/timers combining jobs. ime it's essential to have someone that the hours suit for a good reason, e.g. study. i pay £10 per hour gross (inner london). hth.

OK - thanks that's useful! I assumed we weren't the only people who had this kind of need!

In terms of being the 'employer' - does that mean a contract, paying PAYE and payslips etc?

yes you are the employer. i use \link{http://www.nannypaye.co.uk\NannyPaye. ime, they give a reasonably priced, competent service.

Thanks BK

and btw lots of standard/template nanny contracts out there on the net also.

good luck. this after school childcare business is a bummer.

Students are a good bet - we love doing after-school childcare, lectures permitting, because it's a fun job and fits in well with studying.

Lots of students I've met have good experience with children, it's fairly easy to get a CRB or 1st Aid through the Student Union and even when they move on they might know of someone to carry on for you!

Can you guess what I do? I love my job!

hi legacy, where are you? i'm going to have to let my chap go as i am finishing work soon...

Hi Legacy
Isn't what you describe a Mother's help.

i used to do this for three families when I was younger.

mother's helps don't usually have sole charge though do they?

I did and that was what was advertised, I drove them from scholl also and picked them up. I entertained them, cooked tea/snacks and started homework with them. Also planned and supervised trips.