To wonder about childcare

[Shirehorsesworkhardest]

I have a long commute (45 minutes) and need to be in work before 8. This is a problem as nurseries don't seem to open until 730.

When I go back to work after maternity leave, is it better to look at nurseries local to me or local to work?

Our experience has been like Venus's - very positive.

I would be cautious of term time only childcare (if it's even on offer). My experience has been that having a child cuts back any discretionary time to the bone so in order to keep up with school work plus do essentials like doctor, dentist and other admin, holiday childcare is very useful. Mind you, colleagues do manage, but I have noticed they are not in marking-heavy subjects. I also prep as much as I can in the holidays and stock home and school with everything I might need for half a term at a time, plus fill up with fuel regularly to avoid needing to shop with DD in the car.

My top tip for long commutes with an infant is to keep a stock of nappies and wipes in the car and manage your own fluid intake, as needing a wee when stuck in traffic with a grizzling DC is no fun!

Touch wood DD (nearly 3) has hardly been ill at all apart from chickenpox once, so not all become endlessly ill on entering nursery - her nursery is small and they go outside a lot, which may have helped.

Good luck, anyway and I hope it works out well.