Sanity Check: How hard is it to find and keep an afterschool sitter/driver - 3:30-7pm daily?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As someone who did this in college and grad school, even finding a reliable student to commit to five days a week will be hard as a students schedule usually varies day to day and week to week. Also, as a PP said, when I did it as a student my studies were my first priority. So, while I loved my families, there were definitely days I had to ask off for unexpected school commitments and I tried to squeeze in my own studying while babysitting whenever I could. Combine this with finals, spring break, and going home for most holidays, you'll be needing a lot of backup care if you go the student route.

But with a fourth grader and an eighth grader, isn't having someone there 90% of the time good enough? I mean, it isn't like having a three year old where they need care 100% of the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who did this in college and grad school, even finding a reliable student to commit to five days a week will be hard as a students schedule usually varies day to day and week to week. Also, as a PP said, when I did it as a student my studies were my first priority. So, while I loved my families, there were definitely days I had to ask off for unexpected school commitments and I tried to squeeze in my own studying while babysitting whenever I could. Combine this with finals, spring break, and going home for most holidays, you'll be needing a lot of backup care if you go the student route.

But with a fourth grader and an eighth grader, isn't having someone there 90% of the time good enough? I mean, it isn't like having a three year old where they need care 100% of the time.

At that age, it's not about having someone there but more about the kids after school schedule and having to get the kids to certain commitments and activities so yes, dependability matters.

having searched for the same for many years, I gave up. Even at $25 hr I couldn't find someone part time. The closest I ever got was hiring someone at a guaranteed rate of $350 a week for @12 - 15 hours depending on the week but she lasted less than a month because honestly my child hated her and once I got to know her I didn't like her either. There are less caregivers available for school age because at this age, the caregiver needs to speak English pretty well and be comfortable with shuttling kids around to various activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who did this in college and grad school, even finding a reliable student to commit to five days a week will be hard as a students schedule usually varies day to day and week to week. Also, as a PP said, when I did it as a student my studies were my first priority. So, while I loved my families, there were definitely days I had to ask off for unexpected school commitments and I tried to squeeze in my own studying while babysitting whenever I could. Combine this with finals, spring break, and going home for most holidays, you'll be needing a lot of backup care if you go the student route.

But with a fourth grader and an eighth grader, isn't having someone there 90% of the time good enough? I mean, it isn't like having a three year old where they need care 100% of the time.

I actually feel like its kind of the opposite at least in regards to the driving part. If you need someone to pick up your kids on certain days because you can't because of work/other commitments then you need someone you can depend on who isn't going to be constantly canceling. You could probably find a backup nanny or drop in day care for a 3 year old but school age kids have to be picked up when they need to be picked up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We currently have an AP but our kids are becoming more and more independent and I'm questioning whether it makes sense to continue in the AP program. Looking ahead to next year when we'll have an 8th grader & 4th grader.

We'd need the following for afterschool:
- ideally: supervise/help 4th grader with homework
- drive both kids to/from activities
- supervise 4th grader playdates

I've seen neighbors struggle with finding good, reliable sitters who last for more than a semester. How hard is this to find? If we sweeten the deal pay-wise, are we more likely to find someone reliable? And what would a sweetened-deal pay-wise look like?

Can you put your 4th grader in after care? Then all you actually need here is an driver you trust for your 8th grader (car pool, uber, kid car service). Then when the youngest is in 6th, you only need a driver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never say never.

However if you only need someone for 3.5 Hrs. a day, your best bet would be someone who resides close to your home.

How about a SAHM who has a child who also attends one of your children's schools?
She will likely be local since their child would be attending the same school.

I don't know the going rate in your area, but just make sure you include mileage, not just fuel costs into her salary.

Good luck.

It would be very difficult to insert your kid into another family's already busy schedule unless no one has any activities other than school.