The new school year is around the corner which means it’s time to nail down your before and after school child care. From morning drop-offs to shuttling kids to after school activities, the back to school hustle can leave you juggling a lot of different schedules. Not sure what kind of after school child care is right for you? Have no fear! We have 6 before and after school babysitter and nanny solutions that will help your family get an A+ this school year.
1. The Full-Time Nanny
Do you work full-time? Need a helping hand before and after school? Have a little one in school and one still at home? A full-time nanny may be just what you need to cover all your bases. This option not only provides a full-day of care, but also ensures a comfortable home environment for your children. Nanny-finding sites like UrbanSitter conveniently allow you to search or post a job for this type of “split shift” schedule.
Pro-tip: Check our blog post for suggested questions to ask when interviewing potential nannies.
2. The Carpool-Driving Sitter
Maybe your mornings start early and you need help getting the kids ready and dropped off on time to school. Or, maybe you can’t leave the office early enough to pick them up. Problem solved! Book a carpool driving sitter. During the summer, this service can also be beneficial for getting kids to and from summer camps or summer enrichment activities. This is a great option especially in school districts with limited transportation options.
Pro-tip: Use UrbanSitter’s search filter to find sitters ‘willing to drive kids’ in your car or theirs.
3. The Homework Tutor
Let’s be real, school-age children have A LOT of homework these days and sometimes our kids need a little extra help. Find and book a sitter who’s ready to hit the books after school and provide quality homework assistance. This is particularly useful for 1st grade and older children needing extra academic support. Such sitters can also engage kids in educational activities to reinforce learning in a structured environment after school.
Pro-tip: Sites like UrbanSitter make it easy to search for sitters by the grade levels and subjects they teach or tutor.
4. The After-School Sitter
Soccer practice, music lessons, dance class, or even just a trip to the park can be hard to juggle when you have more than one kid, errands to run, or when your work schedule keeps you late. Have no fear, an after-school sitter can help you feel like you are in more than one place at the same time. This option is perfect for parents who need a structured environment for their children after school.
Pro-tip: If you aren’t finding any sitters to cover every day of the week, consider splitting your job into two jobs with a sitter for Monday-Wednesday-Fridays and another for Tuesday-Thursdays.
5. The Last-Minute Sitter
When the kids have an unexpected day off from school or their summer camp program or your usual nanny calls in sick, you’ll need access to a last-minute sitter for backup child care.
Pro-tip: Download UrbanSitter’s child care-finding app for free for access to last-minute child care providers.
6. After School Programs
Some schools offer after school programs to give parents a few extra hours of child care beyond the school day. If your school doesn’t offer an after-school care program, many local YMCAs and community centers offer affordable school-age child care programs. These programs for children often include structured activities, physical activity, and a fun environment to keep kids engaged.
Pro-tip: Check out your local YMCA camps or recreation center for quality child care programs that offer both enrichment activities and physical activity.
Before and After School Child Care, Solved!
Found the right before and after school child care solution for you? Now get started on your search with UrbanSitter, it’s free to join!
