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It does seem a ridiculous amount. Works out at £9 per child per session - but she only wants about 10/15 mins. cover, not the whole hour and they insist on the whole amount being paid.
There are 2 other reachable schools which are rated as good and they are investigating them, but it will probably be the same story.
I used to walk home from school, as O_G says, but it is a narrow country lane with no pavements and to be honest I wouldn't trust my grandson not to be completely idiotic (and his sister would follow blindly). If he were a sensible child, like me and my kids, that would be an option as by the time they walked home, daughter would have arrived. As he is, it's a no-no. I ride shotgun on him all the time he is with me and that works ok, but hard work. In less than 3 mins. at the weekend (he'd gone up to use the loo and suspicious me followed, thinking time was passing) he'd invaded Mr J2's study, moved a whole load of his carefully collected model cars (worth quite a bit) detatched the hoods from the convertible ones and removed several tyres. No permanent harm done, or intended - but that's what he's like. This is despite having been heavily lectured by his mum on the way here about not messing with our things. So, 'No' to trust. He was very penitent, but that's not the point.
I live an hour or more away, depending on traffic, as does other grandma. Sister used to live 3 miles away, but now they have moved there is no-one. Sis is nearest, but travels for her work and her daughter is the one at Independent School because after-school care is built-in. That's it for family, the rest are even further.
I shall suggest an advert in the post office and to see if the school has a website where she could ask.
They really don't know anyone. Husband finds social relationships difficult (you should meet his mum!) so doesn't mix and sprog is so busy with work and kids she never gets out.
I have thought that there is nothing wrong with being a mum for a few years and she could try to start up a business in cakes (she's a very good baker) but it would be such a shame for her pupils to lose her - had 'most improved' award for one of hers in French (rings me for phonetic pronunciation guide).
Well, I'll cogitate a bit more this weekend (Big Sis is coming tomorrow and will discuss) and try to advise.
Thank you all very much, it does seem a ridiculous amount - but says a lot about how much we pay our T.A's, who are so important to children.