1 hour childcare when my daughter does half days at school??

[parners75]

It's a long way off, but in September 2012 my daughter will start Reception and at her school this means that she will only go in for half days for the first term. I'm a teacher and have managed to secure morning only hours when I return this year after my second child, but that means finishing at 1pm. Does anyone have any suggestions about where I could get childcare from 12pm-1pm only? Would childminders consider such short hours? I can't really reduce my own hours anymore since I'm a primary teacher so I have responsibility for my own class until lunchtime (which unfortunately doesn't start until 12.55 at my school) I don't know any other mums who are likely to send their children to the school we're hoping for, either. All my friends live the other side of my town.

As I understand it schools cannot 'make' the children only do half days anymore. If the parent wants them in full days, then the school must accept that, regardless of when your child's birthday is.

You could certainly try asking some local childminders. Trouble is your daughter would not be in the rising 5's ratio as I understand it until she is in full time school. So you may end up paying for the space all morning as well, or even all day. It will depend on the individual childminder as to how they set their fees, so ask around and see who collects from that school and if any of them have spaces, then what the cost would be.

If you are a teacher, how will you be taking your DD to school? That end would not fit either, or is your partner able to do that? Who is looking after your other child - are they not in a position to collect your DD from school?

Thanks for your comments. My youngest will be going to nursery, which has morning sessions that run from 8am to 1.30pm. That's where my eldest goes now, but it's the other end of town and they wouldn't take her for just an hour anyway, I don't think. A dilemma! Maybe a kind mum would fancy earning some extra money by looking after her for a lunchtime each day.