advice on after school care for 4yr old

[verybusyspider]

I go back to work in September and work long days, ds1 starts reception (he's just 4yrs) and there is an after school club at school which he could go to but it would be for over 2 hours so I'd rather he was at home, am I being unrealisitic to think I could find someone to do after school pick up at 3.15pm - 5.30pm? there aren't any childminders in our school catchment - maybe due to after school club?? - but I really would prefer him to be at home for the first term or so until he's settled in and got used to to longer days at school

where do you start looking? and what kind of stuff should I consider?

Its only an idea at the moment, I'm still at that stage where I'm trying to work out the best plan for the boys in Sept...

An au pair would be as cheap as a childminder...but you have the obvious consequence of someone living in your home.

There are increasingly more childminders like myself who specialise in after-school and holidays for school-aged children. As a result, I believe you are being realistic to think you can find someone to do after school pick-ups.

When I first started out, many people said that I would have little interest because of the after-school clubs. "No one will come to you because they will have their children at the school's club" I was told.

They could not have been be more wrong. It turns out that many parents (and children) are very unhappy with the after-school club, and would rather have their children with a childminder. More importantly, the children would rather be with me at my home!

Also, unlike the staff of an after-school club who will be keen to get back home ASAP after closing time, the advantage of a childminder is that they are already at home. Childminders like myself are at lot more flexible (within reason) regarding collection times. If you do not pick up your child at 5.30pm on the dot, a childminder is unlikely to complain so long as you phone up to forwarn them that, for example, you are stuck in traffic and are running late.

Your best bet is to contact your Families Information Service where childminders like myself will be registered.

I'm new to childminding, so I am only just learning the ropes. However, reading through some of the other threads, I am at what some childminders do. For example, expecting mindees to sit and watch the childminder's child at their weekly after-school judo/dance/gym lesson. Or accompanying the childminder to their child's doctor appointments. In my opinion that is appalling practice.

As a result, I would ask the childminder what type of activities your child will be undertaking in their care.

As part of my marketing course, I wrote (with enormous help from the Bromley Childminding Association - so many thanks to them!) a portfolio document, a bit like a school's prospectus. I provide a copy to all parents who sign up. My portfolio contains all the policies, procedures, activites, schedules/timetable, etc and equipment available to use.

Perhaps that's something you could consider? Either way, good luck with your search!

Consider what happens when:
school inset day
school holidays
ad-hoc school closure such as due to snow

Also find out if your DS will start part-time initially. Schools won't always taken children for the full day initially, especially if they are not turning 5 that term.

Consider how you would enable the person doing the job to have their holiday (5.6 weeks).

Consider what wage to offer and how to do payroll. Depending on pay amount it may be under the Lower Earnings Limit for paying Employer NICs, though if the person has other income you will need to deduct employee tax and employee NICs and pay those to HMRC. For more about PAYE see www.hmrc.gov.uk/PAYE

Within first two months of starting the job, produce a written statement detailing the agreement. In particular cover things like hours, pay, notice period to end the agreement.

Consider what happens if the person is ill, or unable to collect for some other reason - is there a backup plan?

maybe look at either an after school nanny perhaps with own child as this would reduce your costs but also a nanny with own child is more likely to want part time hours and be willing just to do those couples of hours.

or you could look at maybe a childcare student 16-19yrs from local sixth form some possibly would have done a babysitting course/first aid/work experience.

I used to occasionally pick up a couple of children from an after school club when their mum worked late and she used to like the fact I did it rather than her teenage babysitter as she knew children would be fed a proper meal, bathed and ready for bed - put to bed if a late one, and she used a teenager just for babysitting.

The after school care was fine for the children they enjoyed it until oldest was about 10yrs old then he got bored with it and just used to sit and read. They are 10 and 12 now and 12yr old doesnt go anymore but they went for 6yrs without any hitches and hrs could be increased in school hols and inset days without any extra hassle.