Out of school child care for teenager?

Inverness

There's lots of choice in Norwich, including The Venue at Earlham High School for 10-14 year olds and just £11.50 for a day (8-6pm). I suggest you contact your local county council for a list of approved holiday (and out of school) care for this age group in YOUR area.

pandora205

When my children were that age we progressed to sports courses and activity weeks (watersports, theatre school, art and crafts weeks, rock school etc) My younger daughter also joined scouts and had several weeks/weekends away camping too.
When they reached 13-14 they each stopped doing this sort of activity and preferred to be at home or with friends. That was a bit of a tricky time as I was working but not far from home, so used to pop home at lunch time or work from home sometimes.

Rachie_B

With my own son now 12,he comes home and makes a snack etc ,until i / my husband returns

not all 12 yr olds can be trusted / want to stay at home on their own,you have to judge your own circumstances

I am also a Nanny and while i haven't looked after just an older child after school / in the holidays ,it is something i would do

it might interest another Mum ,especially if she could bring her own child/ren with her

www.gumtree.com
www.netmums.com
are good for looking / advertising

good luck
x

beanielou

i take it the issue is that if you are 60 mles away & your child needed you it would take you a while to get home.
If you were nearer you wouldent have the same issues.(Not suggesting you change jobs though)
A friends mum for after school?

whitewing

How about an au pair, if you have a spare room. Company. No childcare worries if child is sick. Inspirational. Generally see education as hugely important. Male au pairs are like an older brother to sons. Also au pairs can relate well to teenagers etc, and will give them space but help them grow.

garty

have you thought about asking your kids friends parents
l am sure a few parents will be home for there own kids

pickledonionspaceraider

Our local council run swimming pool used to run a playscheme for over 11's, which ran all day, and the kids did loads of activities to tire them out. It was very popular, and had to be booked early. My lad loved it there. Hope you get sorted. x

MpT_4

Are you actually sure CM won't still let him / her come ? It's easy money - don't really need looking after, doesn't restrict the number of younger ones ? My CM was delighted that my som was still going to come when he switched to secondary.
Depends a lot on things like
- what time you get in
- how friendly your neighbours are if (s)he did have a key, but was then worried about something
- what time they will get in (is it transport, or a longer walk than secondary ?)

My son rarely comes straight home - there's always one club or practice he wants to stay for.
There is also a homework club each night in the school library - or can just go and read there, or do homework on own there.
Come to that, the local library is somewhere they can go which is warm and safe and free each night, if local enough.

leylie

Like already mentioned, if you have a spare room, consider and au-pair.

Lots of students only want to come over for a month or 2 during their summer holidays . My most successful ones were students who were training to be English teachers - obviously it means they have a good standard of English; they were preparing to work with teenagers; they tended to be over 20yrs so reasonably mature; I also used to get my washing and ironing done during the week (so it meant I could take them out with the children at the weekend) and often some evening meals cooked too. It was great!
It's important to remember they should be treated as part of the family and there are rules and limits as to what you can and can't ask them to do, but it worked great for us and at a cost of £50 a week (plus full board and lodging of course) for 25 hours 'work' - bargain! And we're still in contact with most of them too, which is nice.

If you or anyone else wants more details on the pros and cons that we found please pm me.
Shirley

LillyJ

When I was a student I used to work for a couple of doctors who needed childcare for their children who were age 11 and 5 when I started but 8 and 14 when I finished. They felt that the older child still needed childcare, and certainly couldn't watch the younger one himself.
They had had a childminder till that point, but then felt it was no longer needed after age 11, so they got me as a babysitter. I have no formal qualifications in childcare but had extensive babysitting experience, a high standard first aid qualification including intermediate life support and pre hospital trauma life support, a valid CRB and references.
I was also fairly flexible, so that helped them as they had odd working hours due to their career.
I was paid £6.50 but that was WELL over the odds for such a babysitting job IMO. I was however expected to help with homework, cook simple meals if needed, and entertain the younger child. As Iwas being paid so much I also did the ironing, a bit of light cleaning etc but was never asked, and she was always very grateful when I did get the time.

Do you have a university with a medical school nearby? As there are huge numbers of very in debt medical students, all of whom have a CRB check and some who have first aid. You could ask if you could put a notice up or have an email sent round. These sorts of jobs get snapped up within minutes.

You don't have to pay them £6.50 either! Also you don't have to have anyone living in your house, and as your son gets older he can start having, say, half an hour alone when he gets home from school before the babysitter comes, etc, making it longer until he is fine until you come home from work once he is old enough (it won't be many years now till he is disgusted at the thought of having someone look after him!)