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

Original poster

What do you do when you need childcare after 6pm?

63 replies

neenztwinz · 14/03/2009 17:49

I am going back to work in July and my hours are 10-6. It's an hour's drive each way so I need childcare to 7pm ideally. But all the nurseries and childminders seem to shut at 6pm. What are my other options? 7pm is quite late for the children to be in chidcare anyway (they go to bed at 7 at the moment!) - they will be 14mo then - does anyone else have their kids in childcare till 7pm?

I am looking into getting a nanny (for twins - 2 days a week) but it might be too expensive or I might not be able to find one.

I could ask for compressed hours but would have to do 9.30-4.30 (ie no lunch break) cos we can't start before 9.30 and leaving at 5pm is awful for the traffic and I probably wouldn't be back in an hour then. I would rather do 10-6 but is it going to be possible?

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Julesnobrain · 14/03/2009 22:47

How about an Au Pair to do the collection / bathtime that way you are covered if the traffic is terrible. I have DS in primary school and after school club until 6pm and then DD in nursery until 6.30pm. The au pair collects on the days I can't and does snacks, playing, bath until 7.30pm

RachieB · 14/03/2009 22:37

I used to nanny for a family with 4 children til 7.15pm

so all would be fed, and the younger 2 bathed and ready for bed

the older 2 would have done homework ,if any
and be seen of to various clubs / activities etc

I don't think you would have trouble finding a 2 day 9am - 7pm Nanny

and may be cheaper than a nursery til 5/6pm then help for an hour or so until your return

Good luck
try advertising on gumtree and netmums etc to see what the response is

x

Chaotica · 14/03/2009 21:27

My CM works until 7 (even 7.30 if I'm stuck in traffic). She's lovely (so no compromise there) but it does mean that we have later bedtimes. Check out the local CM list - most say if they'll work later.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 14/03/2009 21:05

Neenz you would be surprised about nannies, my friend has one for one day a week.

EvaLongoria · 14/03/2009 21:02

Childminders are very flexible. I advertise 8-6pm but if parents want me to work till 7 or later I charge slighly more. So do ask around lots of childminders are flexible, as long as u understand u might have to pay slighly more for that last hour

Original poster
neenztwinz · 14/03/2009 20:27

Thank you so much for all your replies. Not exactly sure what my days/hours will be yet (waiting to hear back from employer) so need to find that out first before going any further with childcare enquiries but you have given me lots to think about.

My DH could possibly arrange to be home at 6pm on days I work but his job is quite long hours (lawyer) so might be hard to be 100% sure he could do it every time, but his parents live nearby so perhaps they could do it when he is not able. The thought of having someone else do tea/bathtime is very appealing!

OP posts:
Doozle · 14/03/2009 19:31

If you have twins, it may well be a cheaper option to have a nanny rather than paying for 2 children in a nursery ... depends on what your nursery charges.

IME, having a nanny is very flexible, they could have your little ones bathed and in pjs for when you got home.

And I wouldn't let the two days a week thing put you off. I've found many nannies looking for a two day job, as they work 3 days a week for someone else.

(Sorry! I'm a very recent convert to nannies after having DD in a nursery for almost 2 years and wish I'd done it earlier)

backintheUK · 14/03/2009 19:18

I used to have same issue and one of the girls from nursery used to take him home for me and get him in the bath - he' d have had tea at nursery so only needed milk when I got back. Whilst I ended up with someone from nursery I also advertised in thethe local HE college where they did childcare quals and lots of the final yr students were available/able and realtively expreeinced and lots could drive so that worked out well for a awhile as well.
I did this for about 3 years and worked really well for me.

HTH

JenniPenni · 14/03/2009 19:13

Do ask around at CMs. I work 7am to 7pm to cater for commuting parents... and others do too. I hope you find someone suitable soon

cat64 · 14/03/2009 18:12

This reply has been deleted

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Nabster · 14/03/2009 18:11

Years ago I was a live in nanny working 7-7 for a non working mum.

Could you consider live in help?

willowthewispa · 14/03/2009 18:10

A nanny would be a good option, but you're right, very expensive. Maybe you could use a childminder/nursery and then advertise for someone who could pick up the children at 6pm, take them home, bath them and get them ready for bed for when you get in at 7pm?

If you have a local college, a childcare student might be happy to do this (though you could maybe get them to pick up at 5pm just to give them a couple more hours work to make it more attractive). Even better might be a nursery nurse if they go a nursery. I work in a nursery and would be more than happy to take a child home after I finish a couple of nights a week.

FeelingLucky · 14/03/2009 18:07

We have a nanny and it's worked out really well.
She does two days a week 8am-7pm, and three days DD goes to nursery until 3.30, so nanny picks her up and works until 7pm.

If your children are going to nursery, could you look for someone to do pick-up and look after them for an hour?