Really struggling to go back to work

[Newe1]

My LO in nursery at the moment we get 15 hours funded. I really want to go back to work and I can as a supply teacher. Issue is nursery opens 8am and do not offer earlier breakfast club. By the time I drop eldest to school and little one to nursery it’s 9am so I cannot get any supply jobs.

I’m trying to find a nursery that opens at 7am/7:30 there are a few but I will have to pay £950-1200 a month! I don’t earn anywhere near that much and plus that’s only for 3 days with the 15 hour government funding. I asked them why it’s so much and they said it’s due to them being open all year around. I’m really struggling to find a term time only place. Any advice please

Can you pay a local childminder to do the nursery run?

Would it be cheaper to stick with the term time only setting and use a childminder for drop off? Say, childminder has them 7:30-9 and does the school and nursery run. Then they also have them at the end of the day for an hour or two? Lots will do this

Why not childminder?

That’s a great idea. How would I find a good childminder?

Use a childminder. You can drop youngest there for whole day & childminder drops eldest to school.

Usually quite a lot cheaper than nurseries, most will take 15 hour funding etc. Plus when your youngest turns 3 you'll get 30h as long as you work i think 16 hours which you will as a TA. If youngest is already 3 and you're only getting 15h it means your partner is earning over £100k in which case you can prob afford childcare.

Sometimes local councils have lists, schools may agree to provide details of some which cover their school. Local whatsapp and facebook groups are a good place to ask.

Most childminders will not want to do a nursery run, its not good for them financially as it limits them offering a place to another child for the full day, you may not get many who offer that. Why not treat the childminder decently and let younger child go there full time. Childminders are EYFS like anyone else and can provide just as good a care as a nursery.

@MilkyYay thank you. That’s really good advice. I can’t get 30 hours as a supply teacher it’s not consistent work. I was told I need to be earning over a certain amount to qualify. I might ring them again next week and get more advice. Issue is some days I’ll get work and done days I won’t. I only try to go for supply the days eldest has a club so I don’t have to pay for after school club.

Ever heard of google?