There are many things to juggle when you have a family, which sometimes leaves you with no option but to find childcare solutions – especially during school holidays. Working full time in tandem with having a family can be difficult; it isn’t always possible to secure the days of annual leave that you want (or really need), and non-flexible hours require you to have someone picking the kids up from school. These are all tough decisions to be made; ultimately it is about the welfare of your children, as well as being able to provide for them by means of employment.
So if you do decide to go down the route of childcare, what options do you have? Here are just a few to consider:
Before & After School Nanny
It is possible to employ someone as a part-time nanny who looks after the children before and after school. This makes it possible for you to have a full time job where you are working from 9am – 5pm without worrying about after school clubs or other extra-curricular activities. This type of person can be found from a reputed agency in a potential town or city in your area. In short, the nanny will help to get kids dressed, make them breakfast, and drop them at school; and in the afternoon they will collect the children, help them with homework, provide healthy snacks or a meal, and potentially even do the bath and bedtime routine if needed.
Live-in Nanny
Then again, it might be the case that your hours are irregular or incredibly long, meaning you may prefer to use the services of a live-in nanny. When the right person can be found, they will essentially become an extension of the family; kids will generally warm to someone who has a regular presence in the family home. However it can be expensive to fund an extra person living in the house, so this option is generally only taken by those who have a genuine need, or have enough spare cash for the luxury.
Babysitter
For a more casual arrangement, you might want to hire a reputable babysitter instead. This is a person who will have taken some sort of training or course to achieve a certificate, and will have basic first aid knowledge in the event of an emergency. You will be able to call a babysitter up when you need someone to take care of your children; this is often for a day here or there, or an evening when you need to attend a dinner. It is always a good idea to interview a babysitter beforehand to make sure they are the right fit for your children; it should save any upset when the child care day comes around.
Family members
Finally, are there any of your family members who live nearby who could help you out from time to time? It is often the case that a grandparent of your child would like the opportunity to help you out, unless it is every day of course. This is a nice way for them to grow a bond, as well as being incredibly helpful to you.