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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Help! How does someone with only very occasional freelance work get childcare?

28 replies

lucymc · 01/05/2007 12:13

Before having my DS 21 mths, I worked as a freelance standby prop in TV. I've just been offered a 3 week film, but have had to turn it down as I have no idea how to find someone willing to cover filming hours, 6.30/7am till 8pm, who is also happy to only work for three weeks. Is anyone in a similar situation? What do you do?

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sandyballs · 01/05/2007 12:24

Ask around locally. I have two school aged cildren who are collected by my in-laws 3 days a week. They are not in great health and I worried that there would be days when they couldn't collect them so I got chatting to a childminder at the school gates and she was incredible flexible - said I could ring her any morning and see if she had a space for them that afternoon/evening. There is obviously the chance that she wouldn't but this would be a bit different in your case as you would know in advance and the exact dates. I haven't had to use the childminder yet but it's reassuring knowing there is a back up.

NotQuiteCockney · 01/05/2007 12:23

I'd try to build up a local network of options (nannies and childminders) ... but I think this would be hard to manage for a child as young as yours - I suspect most people in your position rely on family for help, tbh.

When your DS is school aged, you might well be able to fit him in with someone else's au pair or nanny, or do swaps with a friend.

Eleusis · 01/05/2007 12:20

Do you know anyone with a nanny who might be able to share on an ad hoc basis?