OP, when we moved and our kids started needing only after-school care, we found a nanny who happened to be in grad school with classes in the mornings. I'm not sure I'd go with a normal college student (honestly, I wouldn't let my college self watch my kids!), but grad students can be a great find. We found her on care.com. However, I would seriously consider finding room in your budget for a full-time nanny for your little one. We went back and forth on it, but the extra cost is so worth not having to take sick days and the convenience of having a nanny who can do stuff that you can't while you're at work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you know any sahms near you you can ask? Offer them $15-$20 an hour to watch your older one for those hours?

My kid is 4 and we have a sahm watch her with her own kids 3 days a week from 345-630. Its working great.

Please don't directly ask a SAHM. She SAH to care for her own children, if she wanted a job she'd get one, but she will feel pressured to say yes if you ask her directly.

I am the PP I disagree, She might want to stay with her kids but enjoy some extra money. Not everyone who stays home is rich.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you know any sahms near you you can ask? Offer them $15-$20 an hour to watch your older one for those hours?

My kid is 4 and we have a sahm watch her with her own kids 3 days a week from 345-630. Its working great.

The rate seems high for what is basically a home daycare. We paid $20 for after school nanny until recently when we switched schools. OP, you just need to have patience and keep looking and you will find a nanny.

Its not a home daycare environment though its more like a Nanny share. 2 kids together is hardly home daycare.

Anonymous wrote:Do you know any sahms near you you can ask? Offer them $15-$20 an hour to watch your older one for those hours?

My kid is 4 and we have a sahm watch her with her own kids 3 days a week from 345-630. Its working great.

Please don't directly ask a SAHM. She SAH to care for her own children, if she wanted a job she'd get one, but she will feel pressured to say yes if you ask her directly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone use Uber with a nanny and kids aged, say 6-9?

Wouldn't that be a hassle (and expensive)? Uber drivers aren't going to allow any child under 8 without a booster seat, unless, they look like they're 12/ big kid. Nanny would have to carry a booster seat around which is annoying. I had one friend take a uber with her charges from home to the zoo, $65 (they had to get a SUV tho) and its a 20 minute metro ride for $3.

Taken a couple ubers on short trips with my 2 yo and gasp.....no carseat. I know its not the safest option but legal in taxis and honestly thought never crossed my mind that the driver would object!

Its not just after school - there will be teacher workdays or sick days or whatever days. I would think a ft nanny or an au pair (au pairs are better for variable/dynamic schedules) would be the way to go.
It gets harder as the kids get older- until they are self sufficient.

there are many nannies that prefer to work part time OP. your neighborhood list serve could be the source of some great leads

Anonymous wrote:Do you know any sahms near you you can ask? Offer them $15-$20 an hour to watch your older one for those hours?

My kid is 4 and we have a sahm watch her with her own kids 3 days a week from 345-630. Its working great.

The rate seems high for what is basically a home daycare. We paid $20 for after school nanny until recently when we switched schools. OP, you just need to have patience and keep looking and you will find a nanny.

Do you know any sahms near you you can ask? Offer them $15-$20 an hour to watch your older one for those hours?

My kid is 4 and we have a sahm watch her with her own kids 3 days a week from 345-630. Its working great.

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone use Uber with a nanny and kids aged, say 6-9?

Wouldn't that be a hassle (and expensive)? Uber drivers aren't going to allow any child under 8 without a booster seat, unless, they look like they're 12/ big kid. Nanny would have to carry a booster seat around which is annoying. I had one friend take a uber with her charges from home to the zoo, $65 (they had to get a SUV tho) and its a 20 minute metro ride for $3.

Nanny here. I used to do "aftercare" babysitting for a family with 2 children. I worked (in Potomac, MD) Monday-Friday, 3:00-6:00 and was paid $250 per week- I had a full-time job so this was just for extra cash. Some days the girls had extra curricular activities and I would take them there (soccer, tutoring, music lessons etc.). I think it's do-able, just advertise "after school" babysitter. However, I think your best option would be to find a full-time nanny. Depending on your area, you can probably find a nanny for $18-$22 (for 1 infant all day) per hour- plus, you're offering OT and then contribute towards healthcare (not all full-time nannies receive a stipend), offer to buy groceries for them, etc. and of course your standard 2 weeks paid vacation (you can determine if you would like one week of your choosing and one week of nannies) and 5 sick days. I'm currently working in D.C and I get paid $25 for 2 children (all day) but I don't have any housekeeping responsibilities. Although you may be paying more for a nanny there are great perks! Nanny cares for your child(red) on sick days, may have flexibility to stay or come in later/early, your child(ren) get one on one time, you don't have to get kids ready in the morning, you can possible have the kids laundry done, come home to a clean house everyday etc.

Does anyone use Uber with a nanny and kids aged, say 6-9?

Yeah, it's highly unlikely you will be able to get a "nanny" for those hours/rate.

You could probably get a very nice and responsible college student--but no matter how nice and responsible they are, there were will be some concessions to make.

Will you be able to cover the times where they go home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, and other times? You may have to replace her each semester due to changing school schedules (hers.) And what about summer?

If you have flexibility to cover this, then a college student might work for you!

We had a similar setup and hours when DC started prek. We found a recent college graduate and she had daytime class/work so it was ideal. I didn't have baby to add to the mix but our biggest issue was we just didn't have to rush to pickup from aftercare and came home to our DC well rested and fed. They could also do afternoon activities. It was great for date nights too as she could stay late. You don't really need a nanny with car if school is nearby as they can use uber if its too far to walk.