Childcare ideas for DC 6yrs and under

[PumaPantherJaguar]

I'm recently divorced and exH is not in the picture. I start a Mon-Fri 9am-5pm job in Sept after having always worked shifts. I have 3 DC: Yr 1, Preschool and 1yr old.

The older two are at the same school but Breakfast Club (from 0745) only accepts from Reception onwards.

I'm not sure what my options are. Childminder for my preschooler and pick them up after school and nursery for the baby?
I'm curious how others make it work without the help of the other parent.

My family will be my Plan A for the next 3 months but after that I'll have to rely on paid childcare as family will no longer be reliable.

What about childminder for all 3? Its tough. I have one reception age with no support but luckily have been able to go part time. When I've considered full time, a childminder has been my only option.

You might be able to find a childminder who will do wrap around care for your older two and also have your little one part time, plus do school holiday care for you.

Or maybe a nursery that does similar, pick ups from school to do wrap around care for the older two.

Both of these options are available in the market town I live in, the childminders are often full though.

I think you need to ask around locally. Maybe your preschool could recommend someone / something.

I would say childminder for all 3

Your difficulty will be the preschooler as they are limited as to how many they can have. So one only wraparound may not be as attractive to them as an all day child IYSWIM

But if you can find one they are great. Only one drop off and pick up and ours sorted dinner and homework

I'd look for a childminder for all three for before and after school, but i think you might find it tricky to find one in such a short period of time.

Thank you for your suggestions!

Realistically, I’ll need to have something in place for January. I’ll start calling around childminders tomorrow.

100% childminder for all. My childminder does wraparound care for my elder and until this year did full time care for my little one. Now she's starting school in September and they're doing 7.45-8.45 and 3.15-6pm with her. Works perfectly for us.