Managing childcare if you don't have permanent or fixed hours

[tartan19]

What do others do? I'm just curious and looking for ideas, appreciate any responses :)

I beg, bribe and guilt trip family members/friends/trusted neighbours.

I am lucky to have a very accommodating childminder who takes the kids whenever she can.

I try to organise as much as possible on my set childminder days, and cross my fingers that I can find sitters the rest of the time.

It's chaos!

I had. Very flexible childminder who was worth her weight in gold.

I have an au pair. Can't work it out any other way as I am self employed working changeable hours and sometimes travelling long distance.

Eldest one on school and youngest at nursery as well, so au pair does pick up and drop offs and wrap around.