How to find a mother’s helper

[NeedingAHand]

I need an extra pair of hands with my 1 yr old for a few hours here and there on a temporary basis while I catch up with some things. I’m at home so not looking for nursery, a nanny or ongoing childcare, just occasional support so a mother’s helper feels like the right fit.

Facebook mum groups seem to be the obvious route but I’m quite private and have a lot of acquaintances on there. I’m also a bit wary as similar posts often get flooded with self promotion.

For those who have used a mother’s helper, how did you find them without relying on Facebook? Are there other routes people have found work well?

I’d also appreciate a sense check on what a fair hourly rate is in the South East and what qualities or experience are most important to look out for.

Any insight appreciated. Thank you.

You could look on the Bumble childcare app?
whereabouts are you? London will have a higher rate.

You are more likely to find a temp /ad hoc /self employed nanny who is happy to do days here and there

ask about local fb groups or on childcare site

I’ll have a look for the Bumble app. Not heard of it before. We’re in Hertfordshire.

I wondered about that but thought a professional nanny would be u likely to want to do ad hoc work and would prefer predictable days/hrs?

Ideally I wanted to avoid FB groups as per my post but unsure which childcare sites would be appropriate.

To be honest ideally a uni student studying childcare wanting to make a bit of money on down days would be ideal but feels a bit like a unicorn!

You don’t study childcare at uni. Anyone on a childcare or teaching course will be in placement in nursery or school most of the time.

It was quite a few years ago now but in similar circumstances I used a nanny agency. Not all the nannies on their books wanted full time or regular work, and we got exactly the type of person we needed.

We also used a student who was studying childcare at the nearby FE college. She was happy to do odd hours and earn some cash.

A mum with triplets I used to know paid an older neighbour to give a few hours help each week. I think the neighbour had grandchildren but not living nearby so she loved the opportunity to be with children and had a lot of experience.

Thank you for this. I’d not considered an older person but that might be a good idea. My main issue though is I have no idea how to go about finding them other than Facebook and I really don’t like the lack of privacy on there. A nanny agency might be a good idea. I guess all I can do is ask. I had used the Sitters site in the past with my first but it was quite hit and miss and also it ended up being a different person every time which wasn’t ideal. Would prefer to avoid that situation again.

I was a mother's help many years ago on exactly the basis you want, was quite young at the time...poor woman had 4 DC and a grumpy farmer husband, it was interesting and instructive.

If you want to use FB, set up a different profile on your account and crack on. Delete it after. I use one for my hobby to keep it separate from my main account.

Do you know any families with teenagers? A responsible 16 year old keen to earn the money could work out, if you're able to be in the house with them the first few times to make sure they are competent.

https://www.snuggleschildcare.co.uk/mothers-help/

That’s would be a good idea but the most helpful local mums group is quite strict on membership having to have an established local profile etc.
But you just made me think there may be another group that might be useful and less of a privacy risk which I’ll look at. Thank you

Posted too soon, but a Google search for mother's help agency returned a few options that might be useful

Your local group may let you post anonymously or on your behalf perhaps.

This would be ideal, it would be during school hrs (other DC in primary) but someone at college with off days would be good. I always intend to be in the home and not planning to leave them at all. I’m happy to do heavy lifting when they’re here too like nappy changes etc. Just literally need someone to keep little one supervised whilst I crack on with things and at most maybe do some feeding (I’d still make the food). But the only people we know locally their DC is at uni in another city.

Oh this is great, thank you!

That’s a good shout actually! They don’t allow anonymous posts but Ive seen admin post on behalf of someone before so I may reach out to them and see if they’d do that. Good idea, thanks.

I’ve known mid day supervisors in primary schools to fit in morning or afternoon pt jobs around lunchtime. Do you know any of them at dc’s school?

I'd suggest looking for a 16 or 17 year old, very locally. An area Facebook page would be a good starting place. They would not have an official qualification, but you could invite them for an interview and see how they interact with your little one. They'd need to be willing to play appropriately and wipe up spills and so on. I was babysitting several children in an empty house from the age of 14; those were the days!

A Granny like me might be interested or a college student.
People at local church might help you don’t need to attend.
You can post anonymously on Facebook.

I know right! I used to look after family kids FOR FREE from a stupidly young age. My aunties were getting a very very good deal 😂

I don’t unfortunately just the teachers mostly but I’ll keep my ear to the ground more keenly now.

In the absence of willing nieces and nephews, I hope you find a surrogate!

😂

It's Bubble for childcare, Bumble is a dating app.

You could also join Childcare.co.uk

Childcare.co.uk
My DD does ad hoc care like this when her nanny families are on holiday etc.