How do I get a "demi au pair"?

[MammyT]

Here's the deal.. We're finding it hard to get back after work for nursery pick-up at 6pm, especially when there are problems on public transport (about an hour's commute). We're also not very keen on the fact that our kids are almost the last to be collected every evening.

I work 3 days a week and on those days, it would be lovely to have someone pick up the kids at (say) 5pm, walk them home, settle them down before we got in between 6-6.30pm.

A night out once in a blue moon wouldn't be bad either!

We had a nanny before nursery but the nursery option suits my older child's temperment more and she gains so much from it. Someone suggested a "demi au pair" - i.e. someone who would work for about 10 hrs a week in exchange for board/food while studying locally.

How does one go about getting one? Or is this solution not suited to such young kids (almost 3 and 1.5)?

Any advice?

what about looking at a childcare student who would like to work a few evenings a week?

I used to do this before i qualified as a nanny and found it great experience

Great idea Gizzy!

If I contacted a local college, would they post up/email an ad out for me?

I would have thought so

One of the nursery nurses at the nursery we used to use, would take one of the children to their own home and look after them until their mum got back - could you try asking at your nursery?

Great suggestions here - thanks!