To ask about parents working shifts?

[MissBax]

Shamelessly extorting 'AIBU' for traffic (apologies).

Currently shopping around for nurseries for DD. I work shifts, but all the nurseries I've contacted so far want set days (every Mon, Weds, Fri for example).
Any parents out there working shifts?? What do you do?
TIA

Have you asked the nurseries specifically about your hours? The one my dc went to (youngest left 18 months ago) would accommodate shift workers (within normal opening hours) and asked for about 3 weeks notice of the days they needed.

Our nursery stated in the prospectus that it was set days and these could not be swapped. However when I started shift work and discussed handing my notice into the manager she surprised me by saying she could accommodate my shifts as long as I agreed to a minimum number of days per month.

It helped that I had my shifts a year in advance and it worked very well as long as I was very organised. My shifts are a rolling shift pattern - some weeks I needed 4 days care, other weeks none at all.

I get the impression from speaking to other mums that the above arrangement is unusual and I was lucky to have landed it. Had we not been able use the nursery we would have had to get a nanny or child minder.

It is a bit more tricky now they are at school due to shorter opening hours and school holidays! Good luck OP.

I found a very lovely and flexible childminder, I paid her for the most dys I would ever need her so 3, even though on some weeks I would only need her one day and she was amazing. My dc were older when I started though.

How many hours a week are you likely to be working? Could it be worth just booking her in for the week?

I have lots of parents who work shits at my nursery, I prefer at least 2 weeks notice if they're going to be in so that if needs be I can staff the room appropriately.

I have a childminder that accommodates flexible shifts, it might be worth asking around to see if there’s any in your area?

My partner and I both work shifts. Some weeks we need 3 days childcare and others we need one day or none. We found a Creche that opens at 7.30 - 18.00. We pay Creche for at least one day a week every week and then just pay for the extra days when we use them. The grandparents mind them in the evenings and weekends when needed. We are very lucky. We usually only know our shifts the Thursday before the next week and Creche so far is happy with that. They accommodate plenty of shift workers. I think it would be difficult to get a childminder that would do the same so we would probably need a nanny or aupair if we didn't have family support. It is difficult though. Ive applies for a different position now that will give me more regular hours. I love my job though n hate the thought of changing but needs must!!

We use a childminder.

Look for a nursery near a hospital. The one at ours has shift workers and they hand their Rota in on the Tuesday before

Your local authority should be able to provide you with a list of childcare providers including some basics such as opening times. Would agree with others, child minders or nurseries attached to organisations with shift workers are often more flexible. Good luck.