How to find after-school childcare (besides the obvious)?

[Sanne Panne]

I'm having trouble finding after-school childcare, probably because it's only for 2 afternoons a week which may not be feasible for most. I posted an ad in the classifieds section of this forum but didn't get any reactions (whereas we would get least 10 replies when we were looking for someone for 3-4 full days).

Besides placing an ad on this forum and a note on the school noticeboard, how can I reach potential candidates? I'm not quite ready to sign up with an agency and pay a crazy fee just yet. A childminder who looks after multiple children is unlikely to work out as we need 2 kids picked up from 2 different (nearby) locations (a nursery school and a primary school) which is not ideal with a herd of kids in tow.

What else can I do? Does anyone have experience with other sites to find local childcare? Is there a magic place where I can meet local childcarers? Thanks for any tips!

[nunheadmum]

Not sure what you class as obvious, but would any other parents be able to help - even one per child? Picking up from 2 schools seems to be the difficult thing so unless you can find a childminder who could do this (presuming the nursery/school allows early/late pick-ups or it's close enough for you to do both on time) it may be the best option.

In terms of childminders (or nannies), are you aware of any already picking up from the respective classes? Do you have any ways to network with the other parents/folk who pick up? Maybe if you can work out who your kids friends are and ask their parents etc? I know that my kids are much easier when they have company so some parents may welcome it.

[Sanne Panne]

I have indeed been thinking about organising something with other parents. It would be great in a way but it's quite something to fully rely on someone with one or two kids of their own twice a week every single week of term time and not be able to do anything in return (childcare-wise). I'd want to pay but have no idea how I would even bring that up. Hm I may actually email the parents list... less awkward than waving a tenner in the face of someone who doesn't want my kids or my money ;)

The schools are pretty close to each other, a 5 minute walk apart with ample room between the pick-up times so there's no stress. It just makes it hard for a childminder with multiple kids I guess.

Thanks for the feedback!

[sillywoman]

How about a local teenager as an after-school Mothers Help for those two afternoons? e.g. The Charter finishes at 3pm - a teen attending there has time enough to get to local primary schools & nurseries.

[alice32]

It took a long time to sort out after school care for my two children - and it was a bit of a nightmare, so i sympathise. The websites I tried were findababysitter.com and simply childcare.com. I also found a really nice girl on gumtree.com, a nanny who worked mornings and was looking for extra hours. Depending on the age of your children, it may be worth putting ads up in places like Camberwell Arts School - as the hours often suit students quite well.

Good luck - hope you manage to sort it out.

[Saffron]

I was also going to suggest putting up ads at the localish Uni(s). Postgrad students in particular often have fairly flexible university schedules. You could vet potential candidates by speaking to their uni tutors and/or program coordinators as character references.

[Pugwash]

Social work and teaching students have a compulsary child observation requirement to their course. Not sure how old the nursery child is but if quite young this maybe a suitable 'study' perhaps pay an hourly rate for picking up and caring for older child. Southbank and Goldsmiths Unis have social work and teaching courses. Students on these courses are also CRB checked.

[Sanne Panne]

Thanks for all the advice. I organised a few interviews through Findababysitter. And good idea about the local schools and unis/colleges... I think a teen may be a bit young to supervise two small kids the youngest of which is 2.5 during the walk back from school but then again some 17 year olds are a lot more mature than some 23 year olds. Still I think two kids aged 4.5 and 2.5 is quite a responsibility. Thanks again, feeling a bit more optimistic now!