Childcare when you don’t have a childcare bubble

[Trousersareoverrated]

I’m pregnant and have my 20 week scan at the end of December. DH is allowed to come with me but we have a 2 year old and nobody who would officially be allowed under Covid rules to babysit her. The only grandparents nearby already have a childcare bubble. Nursery staff won’t be working and have a no babysitting policy.

Plan A is for her to take a walk with some friends who have a child the same age. But if the weather is so awful that we can’t expect them to do that (at 8am!) then would it be unreasonable to allow them to take her to a cafe/go to their house for a couple of hours. Or should I just go alone in that case? What would you do? DH and I have different opinions so it would be good to know what others think.

If the grandparents aren't minding other kids at the same time would they be prepared to mind dd?

If not I'd go alone.

Does she already attend nursery? If she does then she's in a bubble with the other kids in her nursery group so I'd ask one of the parents of those kids if you know any of them well enough?

I believe emergency care of a vulnerable person is outside the rules, so either her gps or a friend could have her.

I don’t really know any of the parents at her nursery. Grandparents wouldn’t mind but surely there is no advantage of them over a friend of it isn’t in the ‘rules’ anyway.

I wouldn’t hesitate to leave her with whoever I thought suitable in a real emergency but this isn’t. I could go alone but it would be good for DH to come with me in case of bad news- and to be able to see his baby,

I’d just leave her with someone who is comfortable having her.

Try the Bubble app (I'm sure there are others). Great way to find childcare in your area. Colleges and Universities are off so I'm sure you'll find someone nice to look after her. And yes it is allowed

I would rather go alone than leave her with someone she doesn’t know well. I think I’ll just go with leaving with our friends. It’s not like we are leaving her to go to the pub!

I would just go on my own, I had to do plenty scans and appointments alone because DH was working.

I've gone alone to all scans. I was in the same position for the 12 wk scan as you; DH stayed home to look after DD. If you're really concerned you could ask DH to drive you and sit in the car outside with DD with snacks, books etc to occupy her.

Its perfectly ok to access childcare either paid or unpaid for essential reasons. A parent from her nursery would be ideal as she will already have mixed with their child, it's fine to be inside in these circumstances. Otherwise it's university holidays so ask about to find a sitter