Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Lone parents

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

Flip

Original poster

Is it possible to get a regular, reasonably priced evening babysitter so that I don't have to give up work?

15 replies

GreedyGecko · 11/12/2007 23:40

And if so how? I work evenings, and really can't afford to change to daytime shifts as I'm a waitress and evenings is where all the money is made, my parents can't look after the boys in the evenings becasue of where they live/my dads work hours, and xp won't look after them for me to go out to work. I've had a skim around and it all seems to be standard babysitters, but as I'm on NMW they'll earn more than me! Can anyone point me in the right direction?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Alambil · 11/12/2007 23:48

evening/night child minder? not sure on their hours/charges.

onlyjoking9329 · 12/12/2007 00:00

do you have a mate in a similar situation that you could offer childcare to that could help you out?

Krimble · 12/12/2007 00:10

Childminder but probably wouldn't work if you will be finishing work after bedtime.

Sitter service, but as you say if you pay NMW it cancels out your wages.

Finding someone with kids that perhaps needs some daytime babysitting in exchange could be the answer. But you have to be careful if caring for other children in your own home as you may be classed as a childminder not a babysitter.

What age are the boys?

Original poster

GreedyGecko · 12/12/2007 00:21

boys are 2 & 6.

HAve just found findababysitter.co.uk, but without registering, doesn't say exactly where they are, only that they are in Hants, so could all be in Basingstoke for example, which is no good to me.

Can't think of anyone off the top of my head who would be able to do a childcare swap with me, but think thats probably going to be the best way, will have to rack my brains.

OP posts:

Krimble · 12/12/2007 00:26

Check with local council, I got offered a sitters service, there seemed to be reduced costs, I think they were paid a wage by council??? or something, not sure how it worked. See if there are any organisations localy like this, council should have info. I was trying to find out about childminders at the time and they seemed desperate to set me up with a sitter, I wanted an emergency back up to MIL.

NotQuiteCockney · 12/12/2007 07:17

Are your kids asleep for much of the time you need a babysitter? I know some local students charge less for minding sleeping kids, as they can do their coursework.

Tinkerbeltinsel · 12/12/2007 10:54

the other option could be an au pair but then they would be there all the time and you would have to house them

nametaken · 12/12/2007 11:51

contact the nearest college to you that does NNEB training and ask if you can put a notice on the college notice board.

This is what I did.

I now have a lovely 17 year old trainee nanny who babsits for me for a reasonable (but only just) amount.

Krimble · 12/12/2007 15:12

NNEB student is ideal, I would have loved a couple of nights a week baby sitting especially if sleeping, time to watch the telly STUDY in peace.

Original poster

GreedyGecko · 14/12/2007 10:54

Thnaks for your suggestions. Counncil couldn't help, but will get on to the local colleges this afternoon.

OP posts:

lemonstarchristmastree · 14/12/2007 11:26

I have one, girl from my workplace who babysits every Weds for me.. its regular for her so I pay slightly less than the going rate.... try any local college/school 6th form ??

kay7 · 20/12/2007 18:10

i have a crazy job and the hours are crazy.i only get through it by getting help from friends and a lot of tears.if you lived near me i would help out.mmy single waitress friend used to babysit when i needed and her son used to sleep at my house while she worked.in the end we practically lived in each others houses it worked though.

KatieScarlett2833 · 13/01/2008 22:14

Do you get Working Tax Credit? If so, they will pay 80% of costs for childcare. In Scotland we have a "Child Minding at Home" Service which meand a qualified childcarer will come to your home and look after your kids in the evenings/weekends. WTC pays 80% of this, too.

Posey · 13/01/2008 22:18

When I was a sixth former I babysat 3 nights a week for a local woman. Her dh worked away, and she did 3 evenings in the pub. So I did 7.30 to 11.15, and did all my homework there. Because it was regular, and because it was just across the road, and I did exactly what I would've done at home, I charged her less than a standard babysitter might have.

Tinkerbel6 · 14/01/2008 10:42

GG get back onto the council, every council has a student services section which includes childcare, they will have a list of child minders in your area, every childminder has to register with ofsted and its classes are run through the council so I dont know why they say they cant help you.

Flip