childcare

Kimberley82

The after school clubs are full I hadnt thought of the nurseries though will ring around today, thanks

galvanizersbaby

gabyjane wrote: »

Hi, nothing to suggest really other than what has been said. Being a childminder i was wondering if the minders you have asked are full or just don't want to do it as over 8's are usually not classed in numbers so your 8yr old would poss be fine with even full minders..maybe the 6 year old is the prob (in a nice way!) but some just don't do afterschool. I know you know this and i'm not trying to nit pick but there has been a LOT of hype lately in the papers etc about people leaving their children with babysitters or unregistered people..you will not get any help but the main factor is IF your children get hurt in anyway playing you have no leg to stand on as childminders are covered insurance wise etc. I'm not trying to pick and make thigs harder but just making others aware too that it is not the best solution. I realsie you are talking about a temp situation.

I really hope you find someone to have them and you can do your job..xx

I find it strange that some childminders don't provide afterschool care - what use is that if you have school age children? - none whatsoever!

With the insurance thing I'm not sure I understand the benefit of that because if my child is hurt playing I am only going to be concerned about my childs welfare - I'm not sure whether it would be of interest to me whether the childminder is insured or not - what difference would that make if my child is badly hurt? - medical help? - I already pay through the nose for that every month - unless my child had damaged something in the childminders home and then I would be offering to pay for it - confused!

OP - we have a local college close to us and a friend of mine was able to get some temporary help from one of the students there (they were advertising though)

I hope you've had some luck with the nurseries - otherwise maybe your dad could help with a couple of the days - also do you children currently participate in any after school activities or are there any they would like to join?

Caroline73_2

If your husband works nights can't he collect them from school?

looby75

gabyjane wrote: »

Hi, nothing to suggest really other than what has been said. Being a c I know you know this and i'm not trying to nit pick but there has been a LOT of hype lately in the papers etc about people leaving their children with babysitters or unregistered people..you will not get any help but the main factor is IF your children get hurt in anyway playing you have no leg to stand on as childminders are covered insurance wise etc. I'm not trying to pick and make thigs harder but just making others aware too that it is not the best solution. I realsie you are talking about a temp situation.

I really hope you find someone to have them and you can do your job..xx

just a quick word about this.....if a babysitter looks after your child in your own home you are "covered" exactly as you would be if you were looking after them yourself, there is no legal problem/issue

Kimberley82

Caroline73 wrote: »

If your husband works nights can't he collect them from school?

No he would be asleep or at work, he is a lorry driver and the shifts change everyday so I can never rely on him for that, work is short so he has to take anything that is offered.

Savvy_Sue

galvanizersbaby wrote: »

I find it strange that some childminders don't provide afterschool care - what use is that if you have school age children? - none whatsoever!

It's a mix of economics and practicalities.

Economics: If you have a pre-school child all day, and you're charging by the hour, you can earn enough. If you only have a child after school, you fill one of your all day places, and you don't earn enough. Unless you have some 'school hours only' and some 'afterschool only' which isn't likely to work too precisely.

Practicalities: I had a childminder who was happy to have children after school, IF she'd minded them as pre-schoolers, but she was already committed to picking up from one school so couldn't pick up from the one my youngest was going to go to.

Plus, if the childminder already has children of her own at school, she may not have the space to take any more just for afterschool care.

Just a thought, but I know the CMs round my way were able to exceed numbers short term in an emergency, say one of them was ill. In those days they were registered with SS not Ofsted, so I don't know if things have changed, but it might be worth asking about emergency / short term arrangements if you find something which can work, but not immediately.

galvanizersbaby

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

It's a mix of economics and practicalities.

Economics: If you have a pre-school child all day, and you're charging by the hour, you can earn enough. If you only have a child after school, you fill one of your all day places, and you don't earn enough. Unless you have some 'school hours only' and some 'afterschool only' which isn't likely to work too precisely.

Practicalities: I had a childminder who was happy to have children after school, IF she'd minded them as pre-schoolers, but she was already committed to picking up from one school so couldn't pick up from the one my youngest was going to go to.

Plus, if the childminder already has children of her own at school, she may not have the space to take any more just for afterschool care.

Just a thought, but I know the CMs round my way were able to exceed numbers short term in an emergency, say one of them was ill. In those days they were registered with SS not Ofsted, so I don't know if things have changed, but it might be worth asking about emergency / short term arrangements if you find something which can work, but not immediately.

Yes I can see that a childminder has to operate within their own economics personal situation, restraints etc...
I just wouldn't want all that bother myself as a parent (selfish I know but after all not really any of my concern.) - for me if a service isn't available at the time I need it then it really is a no brainer

Hopefully the waiting list at OP's school isn't too long for after school club or something else will present itself in the not too distant future!

gabyjane

galvanizersbaby some childminders don't do afterschool care due to the sheer behaviour of older children! Some don't do it unless they work that late as it is not worth it time or money wise and some don't due to it's the only time some familys sit down together and it interupts that. Me personally i do it as take the lo's to school and have them after and work till 6pm with others anyway but i never really see dh due to this.

The insurance side unfortunately is compulsary for childminders for our benefit and your childs. IF say your child fell off a wall and did a serious injury i'm sure you would brush it off as an accident BUT there are lots of people who wouldn't and would try to sue believe it or not. It's like lots of insurances in a way pointless till needed then it's a different story. There is public liability which would cover while out and about too and the home which will pay for my sofa if little jonny spills paint all over it or ruins something else!

As for short term help..well i am not against this what i am against is people looking after other peoples children for money when they are not registered as it is not on when done on a proper basis. Too many people advertise as 'childminders' when really they aren't and make the rest of us feel like we have wasted all our time with training etc. Rant over!

gabyjane

looby75 wrote: »

just a quick word about this.....if a babysitter looks after your child in your own home you are "covered" exactly as you would be if you were looking after them yourself, there is no legal problem/issue

Yes but they are a 'babysitter' not a 'childminder' / proper childcarer so no good for the OP. My dd in a few years time can 'babysit' but i wouldn't let my child loose all day with one!

LittleTinker

Would you not prefer to tighten your belts and be at home with the kids after school rather than palm them off on someone else?

Ive never understood it myself.....paying a childminder a ton of money to babysit my children so I only see them at bedtime.