New business hopes to link up working mothers and ‘redundant’ grandmothers.

‘MUMPRENEUR’ Nicky Grant launches www.afterschoolcare.co.uk, a web-based venture that seeks to match working mothers with enthusiastic and experienced child carers.As well as nannies, nursery nurses and teachers, Nicky also hopes to attract grandmothers with a wealth of child raising experience and a bit of time to spare. The enterprise will offer working mothers wrap-around care, both before and after school hours.

After School Care was set up by Nicky in Buckinghamshire in response to her own research indicating that working women are increasingly looking for a more experienced and ‘homely’ kind of childcare.  She noticed that as extended families are living further apart, many women are missing having a grandparent figure in their kids’ lives – particularly when it comes to help with before and after school care. Nicky has also been inspired by the ‘Rent-a-Granny’ trend gaining popularity in parts of Europe and Australia.

Nicky explains in a bit more detail:

“There are so many wonderful ladies out there – who have been parents, and are now grandparents themselves – who feel they’re invisible or almost redundant to society. What they don’t realise is that they would be invaluable to the many working women in the UK who are looking for a particular kind of childcare: just a few hours after school; no babies; no housework or hassle – and good, fair pay. My research tells me that working women these days are less attracted by the formalities of nurseries, nannies and childminders – they simply want warm, friendly childcare within the context of home.”

After School Care will act purely as an introduction agency and although it is open to all carers, it particularly aims to attract retired or semi-retired women who perhaps have grown-up children (or grandchildren) of their own and would like to earn some extra money without the commitment of a full-time job. After School Care is free to join (for carers) and would-be ‘rent-a-grannies’ simply register their details (location and availability) online. They are then asked to refresh their interest each month in order that the database stays current.  Carers registration will open on 21st July 2010.

Parents submit their own details at a nominal fee of £3 per month which gives them up to 10 searches within a 30-day period. Matches are brought up on a ‘nearest match’ basis first – according to location and availability.  Families registration will open on 20 August 2010.

Afterschoolcare.co.uk is a matching service only and stresses it is the parents’ responsibility to check for any references and experience. The site does however offer advice for both parents – for example a link with information on checks with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

More details can be found at www.afterschoolcare.co.uk