After school teen care idea
I wrote a column recently about the lack of after school and holiday care for teenagers. The column was prompted by an email from one single mum who had good arrangements for her eight-year-old son but nothing for her daughter, 13.
I had a huge response from parents with various suggestions as to how to plug the gap but this email from EF is terrific. She writes: "My husband became a teacher's aide about 12 months ago. Aides are paid at the lowest possible rate and are typically part time jobs because school finishes at 3pm - they cannot be full time.
Additionally they are 'laid off' during the holidays so not paid. Most aides have to sign on for the 'dole' during school holidays. Yet the TA's are looking after our precious children. On reading your column, I saw a great opportunity for killing two birds with one stone - having teacher's aides provide a teen minding service at schools as after school care and during holidays.
The TAs get a full time job and parents get a seamless child minding service with a trusted supplier. The main costs involved would be the TA salaries which could probably be passed on wholly to parents in the form of a small fee for the service. The TA's are [also] trained to work creatively with children with special needs.
These skills could easily be applied to creative projects with the full range of children or the TA could simply keep an eye on teens whilst they do homework or their own projects." Hey EF, this is a great idea. What does everyone else think?
By Kate Southam, Editor of careerone.com.au
For more useful tips read the other stories in the Job Hunting Advice section and Ask Kate Column.
