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Paid childcare

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

Original poster

Childcare Challenge :-)

29 replies

treedelivery · 04/12/2009 21:06

Ok this is my case. DD1, 5, at school. DD2, 1, doing her thing. I have a DH who works, leaves 6.30am, home 6.30 pm.

I am a midwife. I will work 2x12 hour shifts, which I will recieve 2-6 weeks in advance.

Night shift - I will need childcare 6am to 6.30 pm.

Day Shift - 7am to 6.30 pm

Some weeks I will need two days a week, some one, some none - as I might be working weekends.

What do I do?

In the past I had set days, and granparents could manage it. Now the shift pattern in non negotiable and not predictable. I would love to be able to take this massive commitmant away from the gp's, who are in theri 70's.

ANy ideas? Is anyone prepared to mirror my working week at so little notice with such harsh hours?

This dilemma goes a loooooong way to explain the midiwfery staffing shortage.

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Fruitysunshine · 04/12/2009 21:23

Well, I am not sure to be honest. We were looking at hiring a live out nanny and I think you can get tax credit help for childcare costs if your combined salary is under £60k.

I know how frustrating it is trying to get childcare to match your working hours especially when you'd rather look after your own children.

A friend of mine used to be a Sister at a hospital and was rostered onto night shifts. Her husband worked in a different specialism and somehow they managed the day care between them but it meant her going short of sleep and their children were a bit older than yours.

There are a few childminders in my area (south east) that start from 7am and work until 6 or 7pm. May be worth check out those in your area also?

Original poster
treedelivery · 04/12/2009 21:18

tine time

OP posts:
Original poster
treedelivery · 04/12/2009 21:18

Not really, just a terrace and probably a good tine to mention I earn £15 per hour before tax. I have always assumed such things were for higher earners?

Cheers for answering

OP posts:
Fruitysunshine · 04/12/2009 21:11

Do you have the space to have somebody live in?