ad hoc childcare required in Catford (SE London)

[forevermore]

My DH husband works four days on four days off. this means that for many days in the week he is off at least one day midweek, some weeks up to 3 days, some weeks no days...complicated??? not really since pattern is fixed .

However this means childcare is required for my DD (who will be 6 months in March) on an ad hoc basis.

Nursery places aren't flexible, and therefore i would have to pay for days when DH is off and could look after DD. Money is tight , therefore this would be resource down the drain IMO.

I cannot afford to work part time, but may get compressed hours (4 days) so would also be off one day a week.

the long and short of it is that I would need all day child care on average 3 days a week, but some weeks none (rarely) and some weeks only 2 days (also rarely)

Any tips on finding a childminder that could accomodate this. The shift pattern is set so she would know exactly what days she is required to help up to 6 months in advance!!!

would maybe suit someone who is almost full and not wanting to commit full time to another babe???

any tips / reccomendations would be welcome. I return to work in March so hope I haven't left it too late??

Yes, you may be able to find a childminder who doesn't want to fill a full-time space, perhaps someone who has a young child of her own. Unfortunately, it means you'll probably have quite a lot of phoning to do! You might get charged a set amount each week as a minimum charge.

I do know of childminders who have accommodated shiftwork - some are OK with it (as above), others take it on as they are desperate for any work (which isn't to say that they're not good childminders).

Have you tried any nurseries? Some round here(near Gatwick) do accomodate shifts as there are so many people doing them.

don't know if this will work but a friend of mine has a nanny part time (2, 3 or 4 days a week). she has 3 school age children so the nanny only works before and after school and I know does some cleaning and other ad hoc childcare jobs during school hours. she works fulltime on the days she works in the school holidays and if any of teh children are off sick. the family live in Catford so you migth be able to come to some sort of nanny share arrangement that suits you all. I don't know what qualifications the nanny has - she has worked for my friend for a number of years and certainly before they were all at school and seems very nice.

by chance I'm doing the school run tomorrow morning so if you want me to ask her if she's interested I'll happily do so.

My son goes to a childminder for almost exactly the same hours as you mention, ie 4 days one week, 3 days for 2 weeks, 2 days for 1 week and 0 days for 2 weeks. She charges a half fee retainer of 3 days (ie average of the weeks I need her) for the weeks I do not need her.
She's fabulous.

mrswobble

this sounds very hopeful. please could you contact me or let your friend know that i am interested in talking with her (if she is of course).

do not know how you can contact me though?? (quite new to mumsnet)

just tried to CAT you MrsWobble but you have chosen not to allow contact from Mumsnetters.

you can CAT me if you want.

bump...... to get back in contact with MrsWobble