Any teachers out there with one-off childcare issues? Really need some advice please.

[flowergirl24]

My youngest daughter (aged 3) is in nursery, attached to a private school.

Term ends this Friday- at 12:30 (!) which is obviously half way through my working day.

I teach in the state sector and our agreed plan was that DH covers the 2 weeks until I break up for the holidays and then I take over for the rest of the holidays. He was happy with this (sorted ages ago)

But now he has a new client, and it’s very important to him financially that he works on Friday.

What the heck do I do now? We have no family who can help. No friends as all ours work and don’t live anywhere near our village. I’m panicking about Friday as we’ve both got to work and the nursery shuts at 12:30 (no exceptions- I’ve already asked)

I'd definitely ask the nursery staff first. Some will do babysitting outside of their working hours. Failing that Sitters.co.uk, another mum at nursery, friends' babysitter recommendations, or your local Facebook nanny group. You can check references etc in advance.

I also agree that your husband should be asking around/figuring out options too. This isn't just your problem.

What is your husband's plan to solve this situation?

That is really unprofessional!

OP, do you have a relative who lives too far away to pick up on Friday but you could take your child to on Thursday evening? They could miss the whole of Friday.

Really I think it is up to your husband to step up. You will be providing cover for all of the school holidays. It is up to him to do the rest.

I think your best option would be to take emergency parental leave and ring in to say your child is sick. Obviously this poster means your DH could do this.

So it's important financially for him to go to work on Friday? Presumably it's important you do your job to continue to educate future citizens. No contest.
Your DH needs to sort out childcare for a change in his circumstance - ask his colleagues if they can recommend suitable sitters, call the nursery, speak to local colleges with students studying childcare etc.

I'd leave dh to sort it. It wasn't a problem until he made it one.

Tell your husband to sign up to Sitters
and to let you know when he's sorted it.

www.sitters.co.uk/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqdGXh5uEhwMVX49QBh0GBA4hEAAYASAAEgK8GvD_BwE

What options has your husband tried so far?

Would it be easier to get childcare if she didn’t go in on Friday at all? Is there anyone a bit further away who you could take her to Thursday night?
Just a thought.
If not, offer to take it unpaid I guess?

Is this not for your DH to sort out too? You’ll have to go with a private babysitter.

👏👏👏

Ask on next door/ local fb group for experienced babysitters( with references)

Or husband could say ‘sorry client, I can’t work that day as I have my 3 year old to look after’.

I would:
Ask the nursery staff if any if them would babysit
Ask the nursery staff if any childminders pick up from there and then ask all the childminders if anyone has a one off space
Join Bubble/Sitters/Childcare.co.uk and find a babysitter

Nip out at lunchtime to pick up child, get sixth former to look after for a few hours. They've finished exams and would probably appreciate the chance to earn a bit of money for the summer.

This was back in the day, but common enough for staff to bering in a child when I taught secondary in the UK, and it was always the end of term issues.

Just be straight with your boss. Explain you need to leave early because you have childcare issues. I’m primary and have brought my kids in and taught with them in the corner on the iPad. But since this isn’t an option just tell them; don’t ask. A colleague of mine would always ask and be told no, there is never a good or convenient time to be off, it’s always going to cause problems. So I’ve always apologised and let them know rather than ask. Also, I’d be fuming with your husband. I have 13 weeks a year when we don’t need childcare so very rarely does it fall on me during term time. Employers understand that dads have parental responsibility too.

Echoing everyone else - why are you trying to sort this out? Ask your DH what alternative plans he’s made for your shared child since he has reneged on your childcare arrangements.

Don't call in sick. Talk to whoever's in charge of cover tomorrow and ask to have the afternoon off. Offer to take it unpaid if necessary then at least the school can pay for supply.

Thing is, it isn't an emergency.

OP's dc isn't ill or hasn't had an accident. she is finishing at the time and on the day that was known when they decided to use that Nursery.

If OP is married to someone who doesn't stick to what he has agreed, then it is a pretty poor choice to use a Nursery that closes over two weeks before she is free to look after their dc.

I’m not sure why this is an issue.

Unless you are very isolated, you contact the range of childcare available - babysitters, local students, childminders, agencies like Sitters or Koru, the nursery staff - any you pay someone to provide whatever childcare you and your husband cannot.

And I dont think it’s “leave it to your husband” time….pull together if his financial gains for working this Friday are going to be shared by the household. Look on line and find a childcare solution you both agree on then he can do the signing up etc.

I would ask the staff at the nursery if they are interested in any additional work and can look after her for the time needed. Ask around other local nurseries with the same question. Try all the local childminders. See if you can get a short term nanny.

Of that fails, tell your head that your childcare for Friday has fallen through and you have tried all options but will have to take the afternoon as emergency dependent’s leave.

Just call in sick. It's only a job. They'll manage.

It’s not that they won’t manage. It’s that it’s a disciplinary if they find out

Do any of the nursery employees offer babysitting services?

Can you ask for flexible hours for those weeks? Catch up work eve and weekends. Also does your child still nap? You can catch up work then too. It's not impossible just speak to your manager. Good luck!