Does anyone have any experience - covering shift work

[clemetteattlee]

Good evening,
I was wondering if anyone has any experience of employing a nanny/au pair to cover shift work? In my new job I will be working three or four shifts a week and will need childcare for DD (5) and DH (2). Until now I have worked regular hours and have used a nursery/ wraparound school care, but both are not keen on the fact that each week will be different.
Any experience/tips would be welcome.

I work shifts, on a 5 week rota pattern, each week being different - I use a CM.

It was ver hard to find someone who was flexible, as they are giving up a full time place (so to "be" available) even though I don't need them full time. Many wanted me to pa for a full time place - which is understandable but not financially sensible for me.

I now have a lovely CM who doesn't want to be full, as she doesn't feel she can give enough time and attention to each child is she is at the maximum numbers. So I just pay her for the hours we use. So it is possible.

We also looked into a nanny, but found it would be too hard, as the nann wouldn't have regular hours so couldn't really get another part time position.

Thanks for your reply. I am beginning to think that I might have to pay for a full-time place for each of them

Bump to catch the dayshift...

Always worth asking a childminder and offering extra per hour instead of paying for a full time place, or agreeing a minimum income per week when you don't need care. If you have a figure in mind that you can afford, go with that and see what they say.

I do this, the AP drops off and picks up from school and nursery when I'm working (NHS). She also gives them breakfast or tea etc and it works really well for us.

I can elaborate on time tables etc later on but am just rushing out.

Hth

Yes OP, have you considered an AP? That would give you more flexibility, but of course you need to have the room for AP and wnat to have someone else in your home too.

I would get a huge great list of CM's and ring them all. You will find someone, like mine, who doesn't want to be full - which means they don't need to charge you for a full time place.

I would prefer an au pair to a CM (DD has been to a CM when she started school but before we could get her a place at after-school club and didn't like it).
Snail, I would be really interested in hearing about your set up. How much do you pay your au pair for example, and what does she do on the days you aren't working?