To not know what to do about childcare and work?

[Pidapie]

So I just got a new job - it's only Fridays and Saturdays, so I only need childcare one day per week. There is a major shortage of childminders in my area (small town) and the only one I've found with room, is really flaky and doesn't come back to me for a week, and now has cancelled my son's settling in session - without even an apology or a suggestion for rescheduling. I have looked on facebook, childcare.co.uk, the council list, and spoken to all the 11 childminders in town, some have waiting lists until Easter. I have also spoken to the nice nursery in town, which is full.

I now have 4 options:

1. Hope the flaky childminder will get her sh** together and be reliable enough that I can trust her to look after my son when it's needed.

1. Find childcare near my partner's work, which means my son will fall asleep in the car home, not be home until 6.30, and by result not go to sleep until around 10 (because of the late nap), thus being sleep deprived when waking at 5.

1. Send my son to a nursery I don't like, and pay for an extra day as they require 2 days per week. This means I will hardly earn anything, as they charge £5.40 per hour and my pay is £7.60 per hour.

1. Quit my job and hope I can find a job that is more hours, so I can justify sending my son to the nursery I don't like. There is only 2 nurseries for children under 2 in my town. There is no more hours to be had regularly at my work, apart from during Christmas, so it would be no help afterwards.

Sorry for the wall of text, hoping not to dripfeed any more information.

Also, I am not from England, and have no family that can help out here, and all my partner's family works full time.

A hard one.

I would

1. Give flaky childminder a chance to explain, and tell her your concerns. See if that sets your mind at rest.

1. Maybe use nursery you don't like in short term (and extra day to yourself might be a bonus) whilst putting son's name down for nice nursery til they have a space. In my experience (limited) they tend to exaggerate length of wait.

Thanks for the response. I will try to do this, and see if I can afford the extra day as well.

Where do you live and work?

Mmm cm may well be rushed off her feet rather than flaky

As a cm I can't understand how your ds has a settling in session without you signing a contract?

If you mean taster session she may well just be too busy and think you arnt serious about following through with childcare.

Minded childrens needs always come before taster sessions and new parents.

I think I'd go for option 2 - it's only for one day so hardly going to be a major issue - whilst getting on the waiting lists for nice nursery and more reliable local childminders. Just because there is a waiting list till Easter doesn't mean a space won't unexpectedly become vacant before then.

To add you will be lucky to get a cm to work Saturdays.

I do sympathise op.

Sorry if hot wrong end of stick as think you only want Fridays! See we cms are a tad flaky!

Can you get a nanny with own child? They bring their child with them in exchange for a slightly lower rate per hr. Would mean in the say 10 hrs you have them they will also cook for child ( and maybe enough for you and dh leftover), and will do some child laundry/ change bedding/ sorting toys etc so you get more from your money across the day. They will also care for them when Ill which most miseries won't

I only need childcare on Fridays. Also, this CM does not have other children to mind at the moment, as my son will be the first child she looks after. I think when it is your business, you should be able to respond to those who might use your business within a week, I don't think I am being unreasonable in this.

I could look in to nanny as well, didn't think of that!

Thanks for all the responses, I will hopefully find a solution now I have had some advice.