Find an after-school sitter to watch your kids in the afternoon.
In today’s society, it’s more common than not to find both parents working outside the home. Your kids are in school during the day, but what happens after? School lets out at three o’clock, but you’re stuck at your job until five. How do you deal with the time gap in between?
An after-school sitter may be your best choice.
With that in mind, follow these seven steps to find the perfect person to care for your kids in the afternoon when school ends.
- Plan Ahead
Most schools start in September, which means you should have a plan in place for after-school child care in July or early August before all the prime candidates have had a chance to accept another position. At Care.com, our busiest time for child care jobs is usually July. - Check Your Schedule
School and work schedules will dictate your need for afternoon child care. You’ll want someone who’s available between the time the kids get out of school and the time you arrive home. - Outline What You Need
When using a nanny for after-school hours, it’s important to think through your family’s unique needs. Consider things like:
If you’re a stay-at-home mum or dad and just need some extra help with after-school duties, such as picking the kids up from school, driving them to football practice or helping them with their homework, you may only need a sitter for a couple of hours a few times a week.
Keep this in mind and be as specific as possible when writing your job posting to attract only candidates whose schedules align with yours.
- Will the nanny be asked to pick up children from school, or just meet them at the bus stop?
- Will you need someone with their own car or do you have an extra one she can use?
- Will the person be responsible for chauffeuring kids to after-school activities and playdates? How often?
- Will you need someone to make healthy snacks for your kids?
- Do you need someone who can help the kids with their homework after school?
- Will your kids need someone who can double as a tutor when they’re struggling with a subject?
- Do you want someone who can help kids be active in the afternoon?
- Do you want dinner on the table when you get home? If the sitter is prepping dinner, how are the children also receiving her attention and supervision?
- What happens if you have to work late? Will you ask the sitter to stay late or is there someone else who can step in?
- Will you need this person to help out full-time during vacations
Become clear about what roles will best meet your family’s needs, before selecting someone to fill those roles.
One problem a lot of people run into when hiring child care is that they don’t realize there’s a Difference between a Babysitter and a Nanny .
If you’ll be asking a lot from your sitter provider and want someone who can plan activities and nurture your child, you’ll want to look into hiring a part-time nanny for the afternoons.
If responsibilities are limited, you may just need a babysitter to help for a few hours. Look into hiring a responsible high school teen who lives in the area and who will be out of school by the time your kid’s bell rings.
Talk to the best five to ten candidates over the phone and arrange face-to-face interviews for your top picks. Then invite the two you like best to your home for a more in-depth interview and so they can meet and interact with your child.
We know you’re busy enjoying your summer and you want to check this child care hassle off your to-do list so you can get back to it. But don’t rush through safety.
Even for an after-school nanny, you should do a criminal background check (available through Care.com) and call references, in addition to requesting a driving record if the person will be in the car with your kids.
An organized schedule will not only benefit you, but also your nanny and your kids. Create a weekly or monthly schedule that outlines the kids’ school schedule, noting any half days, days off and lengthier school breaks. Also include any days you’ll pick the kids up so the nanny knows she won’t be expected. This calendar should also include any extracurricular activities (school plays, dance practice, etc.) so everyone’s on the same page.
Use a free online program like Google Calendar so everyone has access to it.
Once you’ve found the right candidate, offer a trial run once the year starts. Check in with your caregiver, child and child’s teacher after a few weeks to make sure everything is going smoothly and everyone is comfortable with the arrangement.
If all systems are a go, enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your children are being cared for by a responsible, loving caregiver in their after-school hours.