Any top tips?

[Tgger]

Hi there. I am planning a return to work next September when youngest child starts Reception. It will mean kids in before and after school childcare- probably a childminder to take them in (no breakfast club at our school) and then a childminder or after school club (or combination) at the end of the school day. It's hard to know my hours as I haven't got the job yet (!) but I think I will be home by 6pm and some days earlier, maybe 5/5.30.

My kids will be Years 2 and YR. I just wondered what others' experience of this sort of set up is (ie working full time with kids) and if you have any top tips. I know every family is different but if people have been there and done that, made mistakes/things that work/things that don't work so well and don't mind sharing then that would fab .

Also do people use a Nanny/pseudo Nanny- ie for just their kids, just before and after school?
Thank you!

[needacoffee]

Hi Tgger, I've just returned to work full time. We have a lady that comes to our house in the morning,takes son to school and then collects and brings him home and stays for the afternoon until we come home. It works for us, but something to consider is if your childcare falls apart should your one carer be off sick then you have to take time off work.
There are plenty of mums/grans happy to take your children to school in the morning. Most if them live near the school and you can drop them off at their house for breakfast and they will walk the children round to school. Think it is around £10 per morning. There are some afterschool clubs that will pick your children up after school in a minibus with other children and take them to centre (soft play etc) where they can run around for a bit, then they do their homework,then they get tea and you can pick them up at around 6pm. I know there are several in Swindon so check in your local area. That way you are not reliant on one person should that carer be unavailable.
I think the only bit of advice is that the first couple of months will be tiring/odd/emotional until you all get into your routine. But I totally love being a back at work, so it is worth the early starts, juggling everything and running around like a headless chicken most days!
But you need to have good childcare you trust in order to walk out the door in the morning not worrying all day about the children.
Hope it helps - although the post above seems equally helpful!!!

[Tgger]

Thank you! That's very helpful. The message above has been deleted by mumsnet for breaking the rules. Intriguing! . I didn't get to see it....

Just wondering about your lady needacoffee- how did you get her? I would quite like this sort of arrangement if I can find someone suitable.

[needacoffee]

Hi Tgger,
We were lucky as another family had been employing her and they no longer needed her so we snapped her up. Although other people have put wanted notices in the local shop/post office/supermarket and got a someone that way. Quite often retired but active woman (my mum does it as she lives near a school and is an active 64 year old) do it and also part-time student etc. Just get them CRB checked and go on instinct. Also, my lady started with us at the start of the summer holidays whilst I was there so I got a good chance to see her interacting with children and how they responded to her. It is a lovely arrangement as DS can come back home and relax with his own toys and be in his own space. Also if you have two children it works out cheaper than other care. I think we pay £140 a week.

The message above mine was saying you should seek out some voodoo/witchcraft thing on a 0898 number in order to solve all your life problems!. It was on lots of posts yesterday as spam. Maybe worth a try if all else fails!!!

[Tgger]

Thanks needacoffee! Sounds like people do get that kind of arrangement to work for them then . I would prefer my kids to have "their own person" and be in their own space if I can sort it out to my satisfaction. I don't know people round here who do it- most seem to use childminders/after school/grandparents.

Ah, I see, ok re the other message! .