weekend childcare

Kimberley82

Spendless wrote: »

What's your husbands issue with the not qualified bit? I'd understand it more if they were babies/toddlers.

A babysitter wouldn't be a stranger you just left them with as you walked out the door, you'd meet them, see what you thought, what your kids thought and then let them interact together before they were left in sole charge. You can go thru a babysitting agency for a night out, so you ccould look into that option - though I think it'll be expensive, and I don't think you'll be able to claim help with it.

I agree it's not ideal taking them into work when you're busy. If hubby wants to make conditions why don't you ask him to sort it?

We are both trying to sort it, as we are a team. If I wasnt happy with an idea with the children he would support me too.

He just wants someone to be qualified if they are not a close friend or family.

It would also need to be someone we can get tex credit help with as money is very tight, hence the reason I have gone back to work after 8 years.

Alikay

Spendless wrote: »

What's your husbands issue with the not qualified bit? I'd understand it more if they were babies/toddlers.

Yes I don't understand either. Surely a babysitter with experience but not necessarily a qualification is way better than knocking about in the back room of a salon while mum is busy cutting hair? Unless it's the funding via tax credits which is the main issue - obviously OFSTED registration or something like that is necessary then.

Does your OH realise that if your 7 or 8 year old goes to Brownies, Beavers, ballet or football, the coaches/leaders may have some training and will certainly be CRB checked but are highly unlikely to be qualified in childcare?

Counting_Pennies_2

I would suggest contacting a nursery and asking if they have any members of staff who would like some weekend work.

Many nurseries I know allow staff to canvass parents for babysitting over the weekends through giving their mobile phones out.

That way they would be qualified.

I used to go into work with my mum when I was little. It really wasn't much fun. Do they have DSs or other craft things to get on with? Is there a tv in there? What is the access in and out of the room and is it easy enough for them to call if there is a problem?

It also depends on the hours you are doing, if it is 10am to 2pm then that would probably be ok, but 9 - 5pm is too long for them to be cooped up there in my opinion

Kimberley82

Alikay wrote: »

Yes I don't understand either. Surely a babysitter with experience but not necessarily a qualification is way better than knocking about in the back room of a salon while mum is busy cutting hair? Unless it's the funding via tax credits which is the main issue - obviously OFSTED registration or something like that is necessary then.

Does your OH realise that if your 7 or 8 year old goes to Brownies, Beavers, ballet or football, the coaches/leaders may have some training and will certainly be CRB checked but are highly unlikely to be qualified in childcare?

He has always he very firm that anyone we dont know watching the children in our home have to be qualified. We used to hire someone for occasional nights out when we didnt live near family.

Not so much knocking about in a back room, there is a big childrens room at work and other children to play with, not ideal but unless I can find something affordable will have to do.

chocdonuty

Any chance one of the students/nursery workers mentioned before could look after your children actually in the salon, whilst you work?
Maybe taking a short trip to the local park/museum/shops to keep them occupied during the time as well.
I have the same problem and am looking for a new job as I have to rely on my parents/friends/neighbours for weekend and evening childcare, sometimes i only get notification i'm working a 2/3 days in advance and i feel so guilty and it's not fair on my dd but then again trying to find a new job isn't going to be easy right now!

moomoomama27

I think your only choice would be an agency, because the tax credits are needed to fund it. Although I think it will still probably work out quite expensive, as their rates are generally alot higher than CM. Although uit has to be better than them coming to work with you, being in an unsupervised room.

Kimberley82

Counting_Pennies wrote: »

I would suggest contacting a nursery and asking if they have any members of staff who would like some weekend work.

Many nurseries I know allow staff to canvass parents for babysitting over the weekends through giving their mobile phones out.

That way they would be qualified.

I used to go into work with my mum when I was little. It really wasn't much fun. Do they have DSs or other craft things to get on with? Is there a tv in there? What is the access in and out of the room and is it easy enough for them to call if there is a problem?

It also depends on the hours you are doing, if it is 10am to 2pm then that would probably be ok, but 9 - 5pm is too long for them to be cooped up there in my opinion

There is a TV/DVD player, an art corner, they often take home work and toys too. If someone has a free half hour they take all the kids to the park.

They know to get some one if there is a problem. The hours vary, sometimes its just for a few hours some times longer. My daughter loves it if we let her stay in he staff room as she cuts foils and makes drinks.

I like the idea of nursery staff will ring the local ones tomorrow, thanks.

Kimberley82

chocdonuty wrote: »

Any chance one of the students/nursery workers mentioned before could look after your children actually in the salon, whilst you work?
Maybe taking a short trip to the local park/museum/shops to keep them occupied during the time as well.
I have the same problem and am looking for a new job as I have to rely on my parents/friends/neighbours for weekend and evening childcare, sometimes i only get notification i'm working a 2/3 days in advance and i feel so guilty and it's not fair on my dd but then again trying to find a new job isn't going to be easy right now!

They tend to get to go to the park most weeks as it is, they are ok witht he other children in the childrens room, they dont need any looking after as such there, its more I feel bad them having to keep coming in.

pigpen

nursery nurses etc are not 'qualified' to look after children over the age of 8 usually, often it is only under 6 which is why they work in nursery not in year 1 and 2 in schools.. depends on their actual level.. My sister is a level 3 which is basically the same level as an A-Level but the ones with level 1 qualification are only GCSE level.

I think your husband is being a bit OTT it is not necessary for anyone to have a specific qualification for caring for 8+ y/o's though EVERYONE working with children should be CRB checked.. this should be plenty.. he can even pay for them to get that if he is that bothered. This is why it is so difficult to find out of school activities for 5-8 y/o's.. they don't have the qualifications needed and they don't want the additional responsbility of looking after younger children

A lot of the paid staff in private nurseries have no qualifications.. so long as each area has one member of staff with at least a level 2 they are filling their remit.. other members of staff can be anyone.. with a decent CRB.. at least a student will have had more experience and training than most people in a nursery.

I would ask at the college.. obviously you wouldn't let them in and wave goodbye you'd want to speak to them, look at their portfolio, maybe read a reference or 2 and they have the reports from their placements as well. See how they interact with your children and how they would respond to certain situations.. a fall and bumped head, a broken bone, a squabble etc. the second year students are about as qualified as you are going to get.. My sister for exampe had experience of looking after my lot from being about 14. She was the only one in her year who knew how to fold a cloth nappy!! they aren't all ditsy young twits... Give hem a chance.. you can always decide against after looking into it!

Kimberley82

pigpen wrote: »

nursery nurses etc are not 'qualified' to look after children over the age of 8 usually, often it is only under 6 which is why they work in nursery not in year 1 and 2 in schools.. depends on their actual level.. My sister is a level 3 which is basically the same level as an A-Level but the ones with level 1 qualification are only GCSE level.

I think your husband is being a bit OTT it is not necessary for anyone to have a specific qualification for caring for 8+ y/o's though EVERYONE working with children should be CRB checked.. this should be plenty.. he can even pay for them to get that if he is that bothered. This is why it is so difficult to find out of school activities for 5-8 y/o's.. they don't have the qualifications needed and they don't want the additional responsbility of looking after younger children

A lot of the paid staff in private nurseries have no qualifications.. so long as each area has one member of staff with at least a level 2 they are filling their remit.. other members of staff can be anyone.. with a decent CRB.. at least a student will have had more experience and training than most people in a nursery.

I would ask at the college.. obviously you wouldn't let them in and wave goodbye you'd want to speak to them, look at their portfolio, maybe read a reference or 2 and they have the reports from their placements as well. See how they interact with your children and how they would respond to certain situations.. a fall and bumped head, a broken bone, a squabble etc. the second year students are about as qualified as you are going to get.. My sister for exampe had experience of looking after my lot from being about 14. She was the only one in her year who knew how to fold a cloth nappy!! they aren't all ditsy young twits... Give hem a chance.. you can always decide against after looking into it!

I guess we might be being over cautious but we have never really had to use people we dont know to look after our children apart from organised activities and its really scary. I just want to keep them with me, I know i need to relax a bit.

I guess a lot of parents have to go through this when their children are a lot younger, we have been lucky and not needed child care until now.