What to do when DS starts school...

[lamandler]

Need to think about 6 months from now and would really appreciate some advice! DS will be starting school full time from September, DD is currently 18 months old (so will be 2 yo when he starts). We have a lovely nanny 3 days a week and although the tax bill is killing me a bit, it's best, most flexible childcare option we could wish for.

DS is in nursery three hours a day, but when this goes up to 6 hours a day I really can't justify the cost of paying her same for just one child.

I have been going through all the options in my head - see if she would be interested in a nanny share, putting DD in a nursery and going freelance to be more flexible with hours...

Any advice from anyone whose had made school transition (or nannies who have been in the same situation with their families) really welcomed. I know it's early to be thinking about this but I need to think ahead!

A Childminder would be a good option, but may not be as flexible as you would like. The hourly rate with both children might be higher (depending on where you are) but the single hourly rate would more than make up for it.

However, if your DC are ill, whereas a nanny would still look after them, it would be more than likely that the CM would not take them and they would have the same exclusion times as a school/nursery would have. Can you afford that in your job?

We have a lovely nanny 3 days a week and although the tax bill is killing me a bit, it's best, most flexible childcare option we could wish for.

Employers NI you mean, plus cost of running payroll (if you are using payroll company). Keep in mind Employee Tax and Employee National Insurance are deductions you make from their pay, they are not your tax bill but the nannies which you as the employer have responsibility for deducting and paying to HMRC on your nannies behalf.

Why do you currently have a nanny rather than using a Childminder or Nursery?
The reason for having a nanny now, may well not change when your DS starts school. For example you may need childcare to start early in the day, or finish early at night. Your work/partners work may not appreciate one of you being off work every time a child has a minor illness, or school is shut due to an inch of snow.

Does DS start school time in September, or does school stagger it a bit during the first few weeks? Something to check, as some schools do start with part-days at first.

What duties does your nanny currently do during the day... could you add more domestic tasks?

finish early at night - should be finish LATE at night

dont forgot holidays inset days which they can give a little as week notice for and as said before illness .someone being on call to collect child from school.
but the hoil
also the find of dressing up stuff for school
meeting and taking early or late for school trips