Thinking of working more hours...any advice

[rubbishname]

I've been working 35 hours a week for a while now. Am on my own with 10 and 8 yr olds. I've been using an after school club for a while which is ok (ish), apart from the difficulty in getting them to after school activities and the fact that they never get any homework done there, (as the club say they can't make the kids do their homework, something to do with ofsted and children being able to choose activities )
Anyway, I've recently had a bit of a promotion, and although it's fine for me to continue on my 35 hours work would be keen for me to increase to cover the whole working day as it's a managerial post (and lets face how many of us do a full time job in part time hours!) Has anyone got any advice about childcare in my home? I would want the carer to pick the kids up from school, walk them home and make tea for them, address the homework issue and where possible take them to clubs etc. Feels like it would take loads of pressure off (no more breaking the speed limit to get there for 6 when I've been held up at work!) and the kids would be happier. Would I still be able to claim some of the cost with tax credits? as we would still be classed as a low income household...anyone else been in the same boat?

Given the age of your children, this sounds like the sort of thing I used to do when I was at college - so a teenager aged 16-19. I would pick children up from school/after-school club and take them to ballet/drama lessons and home and cook them tea (mum would leave me instructions for what to cook, plus have all the ingredients in the fridge/on the worktop - so making it easy). Not sure I really addressed the homework issue, think I nagged them a bit but ultimately I think I was powerless to make them actually do it. However if they do some, it's better than none. The younger children would often be quite happy doing their reading books with me, word sheets and that sort of thing.

If using a teenager, then no you would not be able to use Tax Credits. However you probably would not be paying them a nanny rate, you may find someone who would do if for £6-£7 an hour.

If you need to use Tax Credits then assuming you are in England, you would need a Ofsted Registered Home Childcarer - which is more commonly known as a nanny. That could cost you £10 an hour Gross quite easily, probably nearer £14 an hour Gross if in London, given the part-time nature of the job. The low hours (I expect you are only talking 3 hours a day) may not appeal to very many people. So you would need to look for someone to whom it would appeal - perhaps a nanny who has had their own child and is struggling finding a full-tine job. After-School nannies do exist, though may come with their own children... which may be a good or a bad thing, especially given that you want your children to do homework.

A childminder may care for them (at the childminder's home). As the children are both aged 8+ they don't take up an under 8's place. May not get homework done though, may not resolve the 6pm collect time.

Have you a space for an au pair. They live in, get about £70 a week plus board and are ok doing school runs with older children and ferrying them round clubs etc, can't be claimed against tax credits though.
Ofsted registered nannys can be claimed against tax credits (I think) but are very very expensive. Slightly cheaper alternatives if you can find one, are a nanny with her own child or a newly qualified nanny with no experience (although it is likely that they would want jobs with younger children). Most nannies will want to be paid for a full day if they do the morning and afternoon school run but if you can get the kids to school (or use a before-school club) a 'after-school nanny' - will only charge for the after school hours but the cost per hour is high.

Hmmm...thanks Nick and E. Don't think it's sounding doable for me. Been reading around here and may look at the Nannyshare option..?

For nannysharing bear in mind that if the other family 'uses' the nanny all day and you only need the afterschool bit you would not be saving them much money (they would be paying a reduced rate for 3 hours of a 10 hour day) and the 'share' is hassle which is worth it if you are almost halving the costs but not if you don't save much. Sharing an afterschool nanny might work though.
We use an au pair, which for us is cheaper than afterschool club for 2 children and means the hoovering gets done too... But I realise that this is only an option if you have the space.

That would be lovely as I'm about to embark on my usual Sunday of continuous housework. Thanks so much for the advice, much appreciated.

You might not be able to get care for the children in YOUR home as it's a nannyshare and you'd only want part the day so the other family would be calling the shots IYSWIM.

What about a local student? Do you have any unis nearby?

Don't know about where you are, but here there are many cms who work till 7pm - yes, you may pay more after 6pm but you wouldn't have to worry about getting home for 6. And you would still be able to claim on your tax credits.

I would contact your local Information Services department and ask for a list of cms