What’s my best option for childcare in this situation?

[Suprima]

6 month old baby, I’m a part time post graduate student.

Parents and husband doing all they can to help me balance being a SAHM and student. DPs do a day and DH does a half day and childcare on two evenings for my seminar prep and online classes. It’s a lot more than most get, I know. DH is also v happy to have her solo in the evenings but it’s pointless as my brain doesn’t work past 6pm any more and I physically can’t understand what the fuck my readings are about.

I have deadlines coming up and really need some more help in the daytime whilst I’m ‘fresh’ on the four hours of sleep I get a night. DH has taken entire days off for the 2 days before each deadline but I need some more time to be creative and do wider reading rather than cram.

What are my options?

I would like her to be looked after at home for 3-4 hours. Neighbours have recommended their teenage children but I don’t feel comfortable with this as she’s so little, if she was a child it would be different.

Have you got a local nanny or childcare page on Facebook? It might be worth advertising on there - a self-employed nanny or one who does before and after school care for older children might want a job like this.

You could advertise locally for a Mothers Help. You might get lucky with a retired lady or suchlike. Be clear you'll be at home for emergencies etc.

If you’re at home anyway, I don’t think a teen is a bad option. They’re not a newborn anymore, and aren’t as demanding as a toddler, could be a good stop gap until you find something more permanent.

You probably want a nanny. You can look at local Facebook groups, childcare.co.uk or an agency like Bubble.

Nanny or nannyshare. If you can find someone that is already nannying locally but for older kids it could work as a nannyshare- the nanny would do school/nursery run then come to you for 3 hours while the other kids are at school, then back to the other family for their pickups/after school
.
Otherwise maybe a qualified nursery worker who does half days may be willing to do regular babysitting/informal nannying. Might suit someone with their own preschool aged child?

Advertise on childcare.co.uk or your local facebook jobs sites

Thanks all- sorry if I wanted clear. I just need extremely adhoc childcare I can be flexible around that person and their needs. I only need about 4 hours, PM or AM once a week. I doubt a nanny would be interested in the role.

A mother’s helper or retired lady will be ideal. My own DM is in her forties and works full time but she does what she can and I am so grateful for the day she gives me each week.

My first thought was my lovely cleaner who has raised 6 lovely children, but I figured she would be far too busy as she has her own grandchildren to look after.

I might reach out and ask other family members or family friends. I don’t think I’m going to find anything formal for something so casual.

i don’t need someone everyday- only once a week.

just someone who can sit downstairs and blow raspberries on a day off their relative choosing for 3-4 hours a week whilst I read in the office.

Contact childminders and babysitters locally and ask? Since you'll be in the house I think a teenager would be fine - if anything went wrong you'd be right there...

Good luck!

I'm guessing teenagers would mostly be ina school or college at the times you need. Perhaps ask you cleanerif she has any friends who would be interested, or network through friends, family, colleagues, neighbours etc.

If it was the perfect teenager who had an experience of younger babies, I would consider it- but unfortunately the ones suggested by their own parents have only babysat older children. I want to feel like she is in a pair of safe hands.

It would still be worth advertising, working a couple of hours around an existing job would suit a lot of nannies. I would have loved to have done this when I was looking after older children and they were at school - it would have kept me in touch with looking after babies too!!

I thought you meant 3 hours a day.

3 hours a week just advertise for a semi regular babysitter with newborn experience. Your cleaner sounds like a good option if she has expressed an interest in it. Assume you'd be willing to pay similar rates to what she earns currently?

If you are actually in the building, an older teen or student is a good option, they can play with your baby etc but if there's a real problem call you to help. Similarly an older semi retired person could do a similar role