working around the free 2 1/2 hrs in a school nursery

[doubletrouble9]

Hi
My twins will be leaving their usual nursery (they only went for one morning a week but because i work ad hoc, i was able to use them for extra days in short notice) and going to the school I chose (a bit further away) for the 9am till 11.30 nursery free hrs. If it was near the first nursery then they could do i pick up & drop for the days i work but it's not.
I'm just wondering how do working mums work around this? I've emailed some nurseries local to the school (actually there's only 2) to see if they can help. My mum will sometimes help but the mornings are difficult - i would have to drop them at 8 for her to have to take them at 8.30ish (means getting the car out the garage for her etc - you get the picture!!!)
Any suggestions?

[Mandy21]

I don't think are many options to be honest ? I had to keep all my children in private nurseries (and use the funding there) because the hours at pre-school nurseries etc (like the one you're describing) just don't work for working parents. You could potentially ask other parents whose children will attend to take it in turns to collect etc / use a childminder (although you'd probably end up paying for the hours they're at the nursery in any event!).

[givemeaclue]

This is why most working families use private nurseries not school nurseries. Also what will you do in the 13 Weeks of school holidays?

[ReetPetit]

you can't work around the 2.5 hours of free childcare. although you have some how managed before with only 1 half day session a week so what's changed now?

most working parents use day nurseries until children go into reception. is it not an option for you to leave your dc where they are?

why have you contacted other nurseries? i would advise against two nurseries in one day - its too confusing and too tiring for children. Your options are really to leave them where they are or to use a childminder for drop off/pick up although be prepared to pay for the whole day (most cms will charge for the 2.5 hours a child is at nursery) and also most cms want set days per week, particularly for 2 children. you are also paying per child for a cm so depending on your area it could be costly.

personally, i think i'd leave them where they are and up their days if i needed them!

[doubletrouble9]

Thanks folks, interesting to read your comments.
School holidays are fine, I'm a supply teacher. We managed before with my mun saying she'll have them on a certain 2 days each week then it was crossed fingers and see if I got work. It's just a bit more tricky now because instead of them staying at her house she will have to do drop off and pick ups plus i wanted to try and do more hrs/be more flexible which days to increase my chances of work.
Re funding - I dont think I get any as it's supply work so can't book them for certain days as I may not work

[ReetPetit]

i think the free 2.5 hours can be used in any nursery that offers the 3 year old early education, not just school nurseries

[PassTheCremeEggs]

The majority of private day nurseries offer the funded hours - you just pay for the extra ones you need. Could you not leave your twins where they are now?

[Littlefish]

A small point, but nurseries offer 15 hours funding from the term after children are 3, which tends to be broken down into 3 hour sessions, not 2.5 hour sessions. Not sure if that makes any difference to you.

[ilovepowerhoop]

if she is in scotland then it is just 2½ hours per day.

[ilovepowerhoop]

could you not leave them at their existing nursery and use the free hours there?

[doubletrouble9]

well thanks guys for all of this!!
as I understood it the funding is only available at my nursery from the Spring term, as the twins will be 3 in May, they can start a school funded place in Sept (yes, i know I dont have to take them)
Applied for a morning only job but that would mean 9am till 1230 (i guess) twins need dropping at 845, pick up at 1130 - lets hope i don't get an interview!! :)
Poor supply of childminders in my area as well, oh well stick to SAHM!!

[givemeaclue]

Just use the private nursery, ,gal up and drop off much more flexible than school, you can still use your free hours, don't leave the job market its very hard to get back in

[Littlefish]

Double - are you in England or Scotland?

I teach in a nursery within a school. We offer half days or whole days, plus wrap around so we are open 8 til 5. Nurseries are all different, so it might be worth asking whether they offer flexible sessions at all.

[LIZS]

what about using a cm for the additional hours , might be more flexible .

[Choccyjules]

Mine does the second half of the week so I can do two full days work Thurs and Fri. We have to pay lunchtime cover and she goes to afterschool club, where they gave her a key worker as she was the only nursery child there. Took a while to settle but loves it now.