Do many childminders work til 7pm?

[Jollyb]

I've just found out that I'm being posted back into central London in September (I'm a doctor on a training rotation). We live in a commuter town about 25 mins from London Bridge. This is going to mean a complete change in childcare for our daughter. My partner also works in the city and so realistically we are going to need childcare until 7pm (on good days we'll collect her way before this but just need the flexibility in case of train delays / late finish). None of the local nurseries open this late and so are beginning to look into other options.

A question for the mumsnet childminding community - do many childminders look after children until 7pm? We'd be dropping her off 7.45 -8am - or realistically are we going to have to employ a nanny? It would be for 3 days a week. I can see the benefits of having a nanny but the cost would be close to my entire salary - I'm not sure I could face the hassle of a nanny share.

Thanks jollyb

I do, but not regularly. That's a long old day for your little one.

I wouldn't because my own children need bath and bed by then. I finish 6.30pm latest. You may be more successful looking for a childminder who doesn't have small children of their own....

I take children until 7pm, that's no problem for me.

Mine does thank god otherwise weekdays wouldn't work for me

I'd happily do those hours as long as I didn't have all mindees until that time .

The latest I work, at the moment, is 6.30pm but only because that's what my parents require.

I do a job which involves late finishes etc. The reality is it is easier for you and your little one if they can be bathed and go to bed if they are tired - I would go with a nanny

In commuterville reckon there might be some, certainly worth looking.

Lostinroseland, nanny waaaaay more costly.

I have a child in exactly same circumstances you describe same hours etc works fine for me.

could you have your LO in nursery near work, to have an earlier finish?

I have one mindee this late (don't think I would take more than one for these hours though)

I enjoy it as once everyone else leaves at 5.30 we have dinner as a family (mindee included) then dh takes our dc up for a bath while mindee and I chill on the floor watching cbeebies bedtime hour, have to add this is the only time of day we do watch tv

Mum likes this arrangment as when she picks up mindee she is starting to get tired so she gets her home bathed& bedded then gets some time to herself in the evening.

I do but I would bath them with my fc and get them ready for bed.

Yes, I frequently work to 7pm and beyond. If my parents are later than this, they also have the option either for me to keep them overnight or to take them home and put them to bed. I would then babysit until the parents arrived home.

I dont think you will have a problem as long as you are prepared to pay for those hrs even if not used and childminder knows that actually some of the time she will be collected before then that will be fine.

Other option is to find a nanny who is happy to be paid a retainer on the off chance she needs to collect from nursery at 6pm or if you def need someone then have nanny to collect from nursery at 5.30/6pm take her home give snack/tea and do bedtime routine bath etc and then you can come home and do story and bedtime - Maybe ask the nanny to do 5.30-7.30 (if they want min of 3hrs they could start earlier finish later and do child related duties in the home I see many nanny jobs from 4.30-7.30 with similar type duties)

I work untill 8-00 most nights, sometimes nearer 9-00 if theres probs with the trains

If you contact your local Early Years and Childcare service they may be willing to do some of the legwork for you or perhaps put you in touch with a childminding network coordinator who can find a childminder who works late.

You may have to pay over the odds for the last hour as many charge double after 6.00pm but that's probably less expensive than employing a nanny.

Thanks all for the helpful replies- feeling a bit more positive about the situation now.

Other two options are employing a nanny just for one of the three days and then you could be more forceful about not staying late (depending on what sort of medicine you do).
The other option would be to take your little one in with you for two days and find a nursery local to work.

Not too keen on the idea of her coming up into London with us. When I first heard that I may need to change jobs I contacted the new hospital nursery arranged a visit- doing a trial run on the train. Was a nightmare! Daughter didn't want to sit in buggy or on my lap, or next to me or stand up. All she wanted to do was lie on the floor by the toilet. I was almost relieved that the nursery wasn't great and so I could remove this option from the equation.

What about a combination - aupair/childminder - that way your dc could be in bed at home if you are late?

I would seriously consider the nursery local to your office as an option. Instead of 7:45 - 7pm your LO will be in nursery for a shorter day, you get to spend time together on the train, you're close by if there's an emergency and you can also pop in to feed/go for a walk/out for lunch etc if you get a lunch hour. I know you say the journey was stressful last time but using a sling would certainly help and after a while they'll get used to it and it become part of the everyday routine (take snacks!)

Sorry meant to say I'm an ex-commuter and soon to be childminder and 7:30-6:30pm would be my latest but obviously would keep any child safe until patent arrived so getting stuck on the train whilst a pain isn't the end of the world.

I often work to 7pm... and even later. If I can help a parent I always do. I do not have my own children so working later hours is a little easier for me perhaps.

One parent (also in medical field) works like this on an ad hoc basis.

As to taking a child on the commute to and fro London... I commuted myself for many years when I worked in the city in my other life... and it was bad enough for me, never mind a tired little child. Add in a delay or bad weather, and it becomes a nightmare.

Look at childcare.co.uk at your local childminders and ask your local authority and FIS (Family Information Service).

Good luck!

Just wanted to feedback that there were several childminders who were willing to look after my daughter and she has been settling in well this week. Huge relief.