Why is it so hard to find childcare?

[slipperandpjsmum]

I need childcare for one day per week but am really struggling and would value some advice. Been to see a childminder and although she was lovely her existing mindees hours/routine did not fit. The others I contacted did not have spaces or only offered part time hours and I need a full day with a bit of flexibility to 6 if possible on rare ocassions. I have also posted on childcare boards but nothing. We are limited with nurseries our side of town and as I have an hour commute to work did not want to add any extra time so wanted something as local as poss. Two of the nurseries I have rung said they don't do just one day. Has anyone got any ideas what to do next?

Contact the network childminders group and see if they can help?

Do you mean you work one day a week?
Could you afford to use a nursery two days a week? Because when your child is three they'll get 15 hours a week free anyway and one day a week is very hard when trying to get a child used to a childcare setting

I work full time. He is a very flexible and sociable little chap, youngest of 4 so don't think he will struggle with the one day. I do take your point but with his personality I think he will be ok. He only just turned 2.

I have a space one day a week, so i'm sure there are others. Depends on your area.

Hmmm it's difficult, I started minding with the intention of just taking full-time people but have ended up with a couple of shorter contracts too. I think you just have to be lucky with when you phone someone if you're looking for just one day a week, I personally don't like taking someone for just 1 day unless there's already someone with me that has the other 4 days because it can be difficult filling the whole week otherwise.

Would you consider a nanny?

If you look on netmums or nannyjob there are often nannys wanting a one day job to fit in with their other 2/3/4 day jobs

a nanny would make your life easier (hopefully) by coming to your house and can dress/give breakie thus giving YOU more time

they would also look after older children - you said you had 4

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Thanks

As others have already mentioned, providing childcare for 1 day a week is not financially viable for most childcare providers. If they already have a child of a similar age for 4-days a week and the 1 day you are wanting fits that other day, then it can work... but that isn't going to occur that often - thus you are finding it hard to find.

Perhaps looking at the larger picture would help:

You have 4 children... do the other 3 not also need childcare? (with 4 children, often a Nanny is a viable option)

You work full time (so presume 5 days a week)... so why the need for only 1 day of childcare?

Hi i am a nanny and have a vacancy what day is it and the times .... call me on 07956 954647 0r email me @ [email protected]

Thanks

Definately let us know where you are as i would also have a day free for this, though as Nanny. My son has also just turned Two. x

tears - this is a discussion board, not an ad board. You can post an ad on the Nannies Looking For Work thread.

There is also a thread for Mums Wanting Childcare so parents can put an ad there.

new to this thanks for that

I am also another childminder who has space for one day a week.

Keep looking - I am sure someone will turn up!

Check:

www.childmindingforum.co.uk

lots of minders from around the country and a space to post wanted ads (free)

www.childcare.co.uk

Oh having a nanny would be my dream but think financially its just not within our reach.

Let me give you the full picture to assist with the advice, which is so helpful - so big thank you so far.

I commute 2 hours a day but my hours are flexible, so drop 3 older children at school each morning (14, 9 and 8). Mon and Tue ds (2) goes to MIL 9 yr old goes to my Mum, Wed he goes to my Mum dd goes to MIL after school, ds (9) goes to my Mum. Thu dd goes to out of school club, ds to my Mum but nowhere for ds aged 2 and finally Fri my friend comes here has everyone and does everything for me.

We live on a lovely street where there are other working parents they keep an eye on my eldest ds (14) and I in turn do the same for them at weekends as they work shifts.

We also have someone who comes in and cleans and someone who does the ironing just to give you the full picture.

If I have not made all that clear please let me know, as now I have written it all down it seems a bit complicated!

Hmm, does sound complex.

In fact, so complex that I hear you thinking that might need a spreadsheet... I say what spreadsheet? Oh you mean THIS SPREADSHEET

Now you can see that there are a few issues... DD(8) does not feature anywhere on a Monday or Tuesday.
Wednesday and Friday are sorted... DS(2), DD(8) and DS(9) all have childcare. DS(14) takes care of himself on all days, so he isn't on the spreadsheet.

What happens during school holidays?

Are there any pre-schools that take children say 9 to 3? If so, then could your mum have DS(2) after pre-school - as she is already having DS(9) on a Thursday.

Oh my - Now that is impressive!!

I knew I would miss bits out, as you say its rather complex. DD 8 at MIL Mon tue.

I can't find a pre school in this area that would take DS (2), he has just turned 2 and she would not be able to get there, does not drive, can't walk far. Ideally (and as you can see where we are is far from idea) would not like to add anymore to what she is kindly doing for us.

Can I ask nannynick do you often whip a spread sheet together that quickly!!?

Spreadsheet has been updated, to reflect DD(8) being with MIL Monday and Tuesday.

Can I ask nannynick do you often whip a spread sheet together that quickly

No... but given that I was finding it a bit complex to work out who was where when, felt it may help in this situation. Bit more visual than a line of text.

Certainly your Mum and your MIL are both doing quite a bit for you... you are very lucky to be getting that help.

Did the nurseries give any indication of how many days they would consider doing? If they would do 2 days... then perhaps DS(2) could go to nursery on a Tuesday and Thursday... so meaning your MIL has him one day, Mum has him one day and friend has him one day.

Wow

very impressive

so you need a Thursday

what is your budget for a days childcare?

Could you get an ofsted nanny and use vouchers and if only having a one day nanny the actual cost to you wouldn't be much once vouchers had been used iyswim

think it's £242 a month? Around that figure

what area are you (sorry if you have said) and that will help us nick :) work out rough gross costs for you

Yes, I am lucky in that respect. Although having said that there were many years when I was paying for all our childcare, this is all very recent but thats for another thread!! When I was looking into childminders (not that any will have us) its around 3.80 - 4ph.

We are in Cheshire. My only worry with a nanny is all that is involved. I have a very stressful and demanding job and having 4 children as well I don't feel I could cope with lots paper work as well but as I know nothing about the world of nannys other than admiration from afar I am really unsure but judging by the wealth of knowledge on here I am hoping to be enlightened!!

I don't think that a nanny for one day a week is worthwhile. More hassle than it's worth... good though if you didn't have the help of Mum and MIL, as a full-time nanny can be a lower cost option with 3 or more children, than paying for childminders/nursery.

A nanny could also cost you £100 for a day... possibly more. Whereas you are only really needing care for your 2 year old, which a nursery could do and would not cost £100 a day. Trouble is finding a nursery that will do just one day.

Many nursery websites don't list fees... found one which does Thorley Day Nursery, Timperley £44 a day for a 2 year old... minimum of 2 days.

So those two days at nursery, would in my view be cheaper than having a nanny for 1 day... and less hassle. Though you don't get the children's washing done! If your employer provides Childcare Vouchers, they could be used to pay the nursery fees.

So for now, I would say keep looking at nurseries but look for 2 days rather than one. May find the nurseries are more interested in that.

A childminder or nursery which will do just the one day would be lowest cost... but as you say, you can't find anyone interested in doing that.

If you can find a local nursery that can do two days... Thursday and any other day... then you can juggle the care provided by MIL, Mum and Friend to cover the other 3 days.