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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

I think we need help. Where do we start?

15 replies

NewApprehensiveBeginning · 22/01/2009 12:35

Kids are 3, 5 and 7.

We need help after school and potentially in the morning before the school run.

I am finding it hard to supervise DS1's homework (he really needs a parent sitting with him the whole time) while looking after the other two. There is only so much tv they can watch/I want them to watch and naturally DS1 feels badly done to that they get tv and he has to do homework.

I was thinking I could help him while someone entertains the other two.

Doable?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

BonsoirAnna · 22/01/2009 12:38

Au pair could do both jobs, though I don't know whether you want the faff of having someone living in your personal space (I would hate it).

Basically you need to analyse in detail all the tasks you need to complete in the morning to work out what someone else could do to help. Do you take all the children on the school run, or does the 3 year old stay behind?

Twims · 22/01/2009 12:39

What about a local student from the childcare college.

Original poster

NewApprehensiveBeginning · 22/01/2009 12:59

Definitely not live in.

I would take the 3 year old with me.

OP posts:

BonsoirAnna · 22/01/2009 13:03

Do you want someone to do your daily tidying and cleaning every morning while you are out on the school run? Would that help?

Original poster

NewApprehensiveBeginning · 22/01/2009 13:15

I wouldn't want any household help. Just someone to play with the other 2 while I do homework and listen to them reading.

OP posts:

tatty33 · 22/01/2009 13:23

I wonder if it would be easier to find an A level student to help your older one with his homework while you play with the others?

BonsoirAnna · 22/01/2009 13:30

You say in your OP that you potentially need help in the morning - is this also for homework?

If you only want babysitting for your 3 and 5 year olds, that is pretty easy to come by.

Original poster

NewApprehensiveBeginning · 22/01/2009 13:33

Sometimes homework is done in the morning as we have run out of time in the evening.

Oh I can't think straight today.

OP posts:

BonsoirAnna · 22/01/2009 13:40

I think you ought to try to work out a system whereby you get some babysitting help in the evening for the younger two and then do all homework with your DS1. Surely he can't have that much homework? Could you not find a local student who could come Mon-Thurs?

Original poster

NewApprehensiveBeginning · 22/01/2009 13:40

He has homework twice a week and a bok every day.

It is just the fact that he needs full supervision and it is only going to get harder as he gets more work to do at home.

OP posts:

BonsoirAnna · 22/01/2009 13:42

I think that you will find that if you get a babysitter who takes your two younger DC off to play (maybe outside in the summer, otherwise to another room) and you are left alone with DS1 that homework and book reading will suddenly become MUCH MUCH easier .

nomoreamover · 22/01/2009 15:09

mothers help aka student sounds ideal in your situation. Advertise in the local newsagents where they buy their mags etc. We have a local paper that EVERYONE reads. I think you'd have lots of people interested especially if you put "could suit student". Thats an ideal job for alot of 17-18 yr olds needing extra cash. If you are near a uni even better. As you will be in the house at the same time you can keep an ear out for if things get out of hand?

missymoo2411 · 22/01/2009 17:10

my niece who is 14 come to help with home work for 1 hour after school with my ds and i hover around and do the tea but am there if needed or she watches the t and i do homeb work i give her 10 pound pocket mony and drop her at her friends

lindseyfox · 23/01/2009 09:06

she if any of your local high schools run babysitting courses for their yr9-yr11 students and then ask if any of them would be interested.

Lilybeto · 23/01/2009 09:58

I did this job in the afternoons when I was 15-18. I helped with the homework, not the younger children. Now I work as an aupair and the majority of my time is spent supervising homework. Do you have a local college or university? There will be plenty of students looking for a job like this.

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