CM seeking advice concerning holding places- would love parent perspective too!

[AMI88]

Hey all- I need a bit of advice, I have a fantastic parent who has recently told me she is pregnant (I did have my suspicions) and is off on maternity leave from the second of October. Her first child, who I currently have 4 days a week turns three soon, and is going to nursery for my 4 days (only to do his 15free hours every morning). He would be at nursery 9-11.30, grandma would pick up and have him at home for the rest of day. This was arranged pre-second baby being conceived.
Now with moms maternity leave she is panicking about the logistics of nursery, and doesn't want to spend all her time with mother in law, so she wants to swap so 3yr old can have two full days at nursery, and three days at home with her and new baby. But in case it gets too much mom wants to make sure I still have a space for three ry old, so she intends to keep paying me for his four days (I would only have him 11.45-6.15 mon-tues and potentially 8.15-6.15 weds-thurs, but she would pay me from 8.15-6.15 for the 4days)
Now at first I thought great, nothing has to change, I don't have to think about taking on new children, new parents blah blah. But now I am wandering about cons, what happens about me planning my days, it's not really convenient for me to know who is coming and when, also what if a 5day child enquired? I'm not really looking to increase my income, I'm happy how it is, but I'm just wandering is this as good as it sounds...what would you guys do? Thanks in advance! X

Sorry muddled that completely- she wants to see if nursery can offer her two days and pay me for other three or if they can only offer 4 mornings she will pay me for 4 full days, but I may or may not have him in afternoons! X

It's a difficult one. On the plus side it sounds like you might get paid for hardly ever working, but on the minus side, you can't make plans. Are they likely to suddenly hand in notice? Is it easy to get more work in your area?

Hey yes I'm very lucky in that CM are in demand- however I'm quite aware that I couldn't have this arrangement with all my parents and don't want to start something and then regret it in few months time. I doubt they would unexpectedly give notice- it's in my contract to have two months written notice.
I'm well aware how turbulent her days/weeks will be with newborn and I want to be accommodating because I really value them!

And you will also have a potential new child (extra income) when/if Mum goes back to work after maternity leave - something to bear in mind.

Hmm I think it should be ok but I'd have an honest chat with mom about notice needed for child to come to you. When DS was a baby I had a really flexible cm who was absolutely ace. I was upfront when seeing CMs about the flexibility I needed and she fitted the bill perfectly. I did however entirely reasonably have to give 72 hrs notice if there was a change of plan and he needed to attend. If I wanted to take him out early I would ring before and sometimes I couldn't if they were out and about. I think being open and upfront is the best plan.

nbee84- that's very true!!

I have been quite strict with parents sometimes, but I'm always a big softie when it comes to parents trying to cope with a newborn.

If she is paying for the place, what's the issue with keeping it open?

I think it's fair to say "can you let me know at the end of each week which days you will use the week after?"

I expect when baby is here she will work out a routine quite quickly, give you two months' notice of the final arrangements (which may be some unthought of combination) and all will settle down. We are currently paying for a CM space we don't need in term because we want it on the odd day but the CM knows a term ahead which days they will be!

Thanks for input guys!
I think you're all right! With a little communication it should work out great- just sounded too good to be true! Same income, less work! Haha it's the dream! X