Pros and cons of returning to work in the middle of the day

[LemonJues]

I will be returning to work in January and had requested a p/t working pattern of 9-1 Mon-Fri but this was rejected by my manager. Instead I was offered Mon-Fri 11.15-3.30 as I was told this would be the most efficient use of my hours if I was to return p/t as these are the most popular slots with our client base.
On the one hand, it means I'm not rushing like a crazy loon in the morning and I have time with my DD in the afternoon/evening. On the other hand, it's likely I will have difficulty finding childminders or nannies who would work 10-4.30 (taking into account travel time to/from work) and may need to pay for a full days rate. Plus I'll miss out on taking my DD to all the toddler groups. Has anyone else worked similar hours and what did you think about the work-life-financial balance? Should I try to negotiate working, say, 2 mornings or 1 morning and 1 afternoon a week with the other 3 days being 11.15-3.30 or will that make childcare more difficult (assuming my employers actually agree to any of my proposals).
Oh, and another thing- working 11.15-3.30 means I miss out on in house staff training which takes place weekly or fortnightly between 9.15-10.45. Do I have grounds to ask for 1 morning a week so I can participate in training or should requests for flexible working only centre around childcare needs? Thanks!

[Nevercan]

How old is your dc?

[mylittlemonkey]

I personally would be quite happy with those hours as would love to have time with my DS in the mornings and afternoon. I currently work full days 4 days per week and those 4 days really feel like such a rush and barley see DS. Particularly as I am thinking about when he starts school I really want to be able to take and pick him up from school.

However on the financial side I think you would probably look at paying for full days while she was at nursery, but would reap the benefits of not having to pay for any childcare when she started school. I think it just depends if you can afford it.

It might be best to look round some nurseries and childminders to start with and see which ones you like and then see what their policies are with times and fees. then go back to your employer with the hours you need that will suit you and your arrangements as at least you will be able to justify why you need those hours. If work say no then you will have to decide whether you can afford to do the part time hours or whether it would be better to do maybe 2, 3 or 4 full days per week.

[kekouan]

Would they compromise and let you do 10-2:30? Would think you're more likely to be able to find a childminders if you can fit it inbetween school hours.

[LemonJues]

Nevercan- she is 9 months now and will be 1 year old when I go back to work.

[LemonJues]

Kekouan- unfortunately not. They are quite rigid about the treatment slots available. Would be nice though to work 10- 2.30