DD1 has been with her childminder very happily for the last 3 years. I'm on maternity leave with DD2 (6mo) and am returning to work in August.
When I picked DD up from childminders yesterday (she goes 1 day a week to keep up contact) she announced she could no longer look after both DDs when I returned to work for financial reasons. Her husband is going to be off work after a heart operation and she needs to fill 2 spaces full-time.
I was upset to lose her but can see why she's done this. She's recommended a friend of hers who also childminds and DD knows well too. I've just called her and she said she'd love to have DD but wouldn't be able to have DD2. She has 2 girls aged 2 and said she likes doing lots with them and having a baby would nake it difficult.
My quandry is this....do I split the girls up or look for another childminder who will be willing to have them both?
I'm shorthaul cabin crew and my hours are unsocable to say the least. I work 21 days on 7 off and my shifts can change within only a few hours notice. She sounded lovely on the phone (I'm meeting her tomorrow) just a bit worried about splitting them up.
DD1 goes to pre-school 3 afternoons a week so she would only be going there mornings (maybe the odd hour afterwards).
I need to let her know tomorrow as she has another lady wanting to use her too.
My head says put DD1 there and look elsewhere for DD2. DD knows this lady and her other mindees well and has been to her house on many occassions. My main worry is her getting upset at being seperated from her sister.
I'd really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.