Preschool and primary school
Once a child starts preschool or primary school, the helper’s day splits into fixed school-time blocks: morning preparation and drop-off, midday housework while the child is away, afternoon collection and after-school time, and evening meal preparation. This guide helps you plan that daily split, check transport and collection permissions, and prepare for school holidays and sick days when the child is home all day.
Tell us your child’s school hours, other household duties and preferred start date.
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A typical weekday with a school-going child creates natural time blocks for the helper. The example below is illustrative; adjust for your child's actual school hours and your household.
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| Time block | Child | Helper's tasks |
|---|---|---|
| 6:30–8:00 am | Wake, breakfast, dress, school bag | Prepare breakfast and packed items. Help child get ready. School drop-off if authorised. |
| 8:00 am–12:00 pm | At school | Housework block: cleaning, laundry, ironing, marketing. Use this window for agreed housework and a protected break; it is not a four-hour task quota. |
| 12:00–1:30 pm | School pickup (varies) | Collect child if authorised. Lunch preparation and feeding. |
| 1:30–5:00 pm | Nap (younger), homework, play | Supervise child. Light housework during nap or quiet time. Prepare afternoon snack. |
| Protected break — agree the time | Parent or another authorised responsible adult provides any needed supervision | Off duty without simultaneous care or housework tasks |
| 5:00–8:00 pm | Play, bath, dinner, bedtime | Dinner preparation, bath assistance (younger children), kitchen cleanup. |
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This is a hypothetical planning sheet, not prescribed working hours. Adjust the time blocks and task list around adequate rest. A child's nap or homework time is not automatically the helper's break if she remains responsible for supervision.
If the helper will take the child to and from school:
The afternoon block is where the helper balances child supervision with remaining housework. For younger children (preschool), this includes nap supervision and active play. For older children (lower primary), it may include snack preparation, light supervision and helping organise homework materials.
The helper is not a tutor. She can remind the child about homework time and keep the environment quiet, but teaching academic content or checking answers is a parent's or tutor's role. Do not set an expectation that the helper will coach the child through schoolwork.
When your child is home during school holidays, The helper's housework window disappears and her childcare duties increase. Plan for this:
A sick child at home changes the day entirely. Agree in advance:
Use the interview checklist alongside these questions:
Most households expect the helper to combine school-run support with cooking and housekeeping. Use the weekly schedule template to map all duties across the week, including the housework-heavy school hours and the supervision-heavy after-school block. A realistic written schedule prevents the helper from being expected to do two things at once.
Plan the combined duties alongside the school schedule.
The school schedule splits the helper’s day into fixed blocks. Plan around that, not the other way round.
Questions
Check the school or centre's permission and collection procedures, complete what it requires, and assess whether the helper can manage the particular route and duty. Practise together before assigning collection independently.
The helper can organise homework time and keep the environment quiet, but she is not a tutor. Academic teaching and checking answers is the parent’s or a tutor’s role.
When your child is home for the holidays, care duties can increase while time for housework decreases. Agree the actual holiday arrangements and adjust the cleaning expectation. Do not assume one person can maintain the same task list while providing additional supervision.
Share the school hours, collection policy and household duties. Do not include the child’s name, school address, home address or medical details in the enquiry message. Discuss those privately after matching.
Have a backup plan: a family member, neighbour or alternative arrangement for school transport. See the helper sick-day guide for employer responsibilities.
Talk to us
Tell us your child’s school hours, household duties and preferred start date. We will check helpers with relevant experience.
