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Original poster

Mat leave with 2.5yo + no childcare

29 replies

riffraffroff · 07/02/2024 14:25

Has anyone managed this, or am I totally delusional? My DM is near so would muck in but I'm not going to be able to ship DC1 off to her every weekday, not that I want to.

Might be able to find some form care that's shorter hours and more affordable than DCs current FT nursery place, preschool maybe? Childminders are oversubscribed where I live.

Im not actually pregnant yet, but I've realised I'd love a second. I was already "geriatric" for DC1 and they're a September baby so I can't really wait until they're at school.

OP posts:
InTheRainOnATrain · 07/02/2024 15:47

riffraffroff · 07/02/2024 15:37

This is all super helpful, thank you. Despite DC1 being very chill, I did feel like I was struck by a bus postpartum, only just staring to feel vaguely normal now. Which I think is my main concern. I also agree that the social aspects of childcare are beneficial. DC2 mat leave + DC1 in FTish nursery seems to be the norm here.

I totally forgot about free hours, can you just send them in for the 15/30 hours, surely not? I realise it's term time only.

Yes definitely! TTO nurseries exist, a lot of them are attached to schools but not all are. If you would be eligible for the 30 hours then that would cover 9-3, 5 days a weeks - basically normal school nursery hours. The 15 would roughly cover mornings only. Then you just pay a small charge on top for food, wipes etc.

Original poster
riffraffroff · 07/02/2024 15:55

InTheRainOnATrain · 07/02/2024 15:47

Yes definitely! TTO nurseries exist, a lot of them are attached to schools but not all are. If you would be eligible for the 30 hours then that would cover 9-3, 5 days a weeks - basically normal school nursery hours. The 15 would roughly cover mornings only. Then you just pay a small charge on top for food, wipes etc.

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This is ideal really. Suddenly feels doable. Thank you so much to everyone

OP posts:
CattingAbout · 07/02/2024 16:11

Unlike PP, most people I know kept their eldest DC in childcare at least a couple of days a week while on mat leave with new baby. But I work in a field where poeple mostly relocate to do the job, so generally don't have local family support.

I had a 2.5 year old and new baby at home full time due to lockdown and hated it, but I think that's at least partly because it's not what we had chosen or planned. Also, in contrast to DC1, DC2 was super clingy/pukey/screamy and didn't sleep well. DC1 really struggled with the baby crying and got really jealous of DC2 getting cuddles (which the only way to stop the crying). It was like a pressure cooker in our house for a while there.

If the new govt thingy gives you some free hours, that definitely feels like a win as your eldest would get some space from their sibling and you'd get some time for baby snuggles with less guilt.

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Redlorryyellowlorryblue · 08/02/2024 08:02

I kept my first child in nursery until my second was 7 months and then covid hit, but by that time was finding things easier. Where I live, you have to keep your child’s place, otherwise they will lose it and there is a long waiting list.

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