Part Time/Flexible Nanny...

[DoctorWhom]

...does such a thing exist? DH is working overseas a few days most weeks, I work an hour away from nursery (in standard traffic). The nature of my job means I can never guarantee I leave on time. Is there any kind of ad hoc childcare service that I could call at (say) 16:30 and ask to pick up DD at 18:00, take her home and amuse her for half an hour or so until I arrive home? I asked the girls in her nursery room, a couple expressed an interest but would need to know a day or two in advance. It's likely to only be in the short term, as I am moving jobs in February. Work have been decidedly unhelpful and essentially told me I had to sort something out. Family are all over 100 miles away and our neighbours work long/unpredictable hours and have youngish kids of their own.

Problem is is that you don't know if you will need someone and therefore unless you pay a retainer no one is going to keep their afternoon/evening free just in case

I'm a temp/emergency nanny and wouldn't commit as you may not need me and I could turn down other work

If I were you I would contact the girls at nursery and maybe have details of 3/4 of them and hope one of them is free that night

Thanks blondes. I feared as much. I might have to try and find someone for every evening DH is away for my own peace of mind. So frustrating for the sake of half an hour or so! I guess I could use it to my advantage and go to the shops/gym if I get out unexpectedly early. dream on Doc

What are your realistic chances of needing it and how much can you afford? Imagine if you offered the nursery nurses £20/hour for the uncertainty they would say yes. Emergency childcare through an agency works out about that (£15ph plus £25-£50 daily agency fee often capped if weekly booking).

If this is long term then you may be better off looking again at your overall childcare requirements and considering nanny/nanny share or childminder.

I've had a variety of very flexible arrangements over the years, but never anything on a 1.5 hours notice for an hour or so of work.

Can you offer regular hours but with flexible duties? So if you dont need childcare on a day your nanny will still work for two hours or so, she can cook few meals for the freezer, do dc's laudry, ironing, sort out toys, books etc. Or do childcare even if you are at home. You can have a bath or see a friend. I know it is extra cost but i think that asking for irregular emergency childcare is a very tall order ime.

I had the exact same problem as you. I suspect we may be in the same line of work given unpredictable nature of job and the fact that you change jobs in feb! I found the only solution was to book one of the nursery nurses who worked in DS nursery a few days in advance. They would take him home, give him dinner and generally amuse him until I got home about 6.30 - 7 ish. If I did manage to finish on time I used the hour to go to supermarket etc as I'd already booked them. I found it worthwhile just for the peace of mind tbh and it usually only worked at at a few hours a week at about eight pounds an hour. Hope you manage to sort something out

Do you have a cleaner?

Perhaps a part time housekeeper would work for you who could then contribute a few hours to childcare?

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think we may be in the same profession, flyingchick Looks like this is still going to be an issue come Feb (despite my high hopes, I've switched the commute for an earlier start and later finish!). I think we will be using a nursery girl as you have. I was being a little inflexible thinking I would only want to have the childcare if really needed. Having re-evaluated - the extra time it might give me, and much less stress - it must be worth organising it regardless. I do so hate clockwatching on shift and calling nursery when it becomes apparent I'm going to be late.