Someone at Home After School...

I used to look after a child after school , I was in no way an 'official childminder' , I picked her up from school , she came back to my house and played with my kids (if the weather allowed we went to the playground) , she ate with us and pretty much was treated like one of the family , watching TV , having food/drinks etc , so it was as good as being at home. Maybe try and advertise through a local moms group website , to see if any SAHM's need a few extra $$$. This is how I came about looking after this child , and even though I don't watch her anymore , we still see her and are good friends with her mom.

I had a nanny and it was wonderful. The kids were able to come to their own home. The nanny also helped with dinner, so when I came home dinner could be on the table in minutes. It saved me time and milage by not having to drive extra miles to a day care for pick up. Also, if I needed to work late or run an errand after work it wasn't a problem.

It would depend on your budget.

Usually, the type of after school care offered by the school, is typically cheaper.
And they would be with all of their friends.

Then, if they are at an afterschool care center, that is NOT on the school's campus, you have to think about transportation, how will your kids get there, unless the school or the care center has a bus that picks up the kids and transports them to the off-site care center.

All the best,
Susan

We had the BEST situation. I had a neighbor whose child is in the same grade as mine. We split the week. Two days she worked late and two days a week I worked late. On the days that we worked late both kids went to the other's home. The rule was homework first and then they got to play. Sometimes they played together and sometimes with the other neighbors. It was great because homework got done (which won't in an afterschool program) and they were at "home" in their own neighborhood. It cost nothing. It was a great win win for us and the kids.

Our neighbor is a sitter. So our son goes there in the morning, she puts him on the bus, then he goes there after school until we get home. Also, she never closes due to the weather!! As long as he can get over there, I have a babysitter.

M.