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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Christmas week childcare - stuck for 2 days (NO childcare).

47 replies

CountryLovingGirl · 03/10/2015 21:52

Hi,

I am hoping for some ideas on what we can do for childcare during Christmas week. My regular childminder is taking the week off but, as usual, neither of us is allowed time off. We dread Christmas week every year as we know we struggle for childcare. Everyone else seems to get the week off but we don't :-(

Luckily, I work part time and have 2 of the days off anyway Mon/Weds). New Year's Day is the Friday and we will both be off that day. This leaves us with the Tuesday 29th and Thursday 31st. Hubby is on backshift so we only need childcare between 1pm and 6pm both days.

We have no family available to help and all the nurseries/holiday schemes around here are closed the whole week.

Any ideas on what we can do?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Sallyhasleftthebuilding · 03/10/2015 23:21

Have you asked at school? They may have students who would be available? Could you offer to swap, maybe another parent is stuck? Can you advertise at school?

NewBallsPlease00 · 03/10/2015 23:27

No solution but sympathies- I work in retail and there is NO childcare options round here for then either (big city fwiw) school clubs and nurseries closed
Also don't get me started on people getting married and Christmas 'because everyone is off' and then huffing because people can't go because off not getting time off and it costing do much ££

Jakadaal · 04/10/2015 00:00

Does your Trust have a childcare coordinator service? This is the type of issue they can help with and can often find a bespoke solution. Worth checking with HR?
As for emergency parental leave - you don't need to book it as it is what is says - emergency and usually along the lines of 'finding alternative childcare arrangements'

lovelynannytobe · 04/10/2015 08:28

I'd use sitters.co.uk if I were you. It's probably the cheapest option for so few hours for 2 kids

Aftershock15 · 04/10/2015 08:59

As your kids aren't little unless the have special needs I would just try and find a sixth form pupil. Ask around colleagues with older children or put a card in local shop / church / school.
Even the New Year's Eve thing is not really a problem as its early evening they finish.
Or ask friends to have them. You could even offer to have their kids over night New Year's Eve and the next morning in return.

divere · 04/10/2015 12:53

Where in the country are you? I'm a nanny and not working for my family over that period, and would be happy to cover for you.

Blondeshavemorefun · 04/10/2015 15:52

Best solution is to find a temp nanny least £8/10ph or use sitters (nmw so talking about £35)

Or ask a friend - how old are your children?

iPaid · 04/10/2015 16:00

As they are 11 and 7, could you leave them at home together? My DD (11) would be fine on her own from 1-6pm. Unlimited screen and Xmas chocolates - she'd be in her element

DesertorDessert · 04/10/2015 16:10

TA from the school looking for some extra cash? Childcare student or apprentice who isn't working as all the nursery's are shut?
Good luck. Sounds horrible every year.

Anon2309 · 04/10/2015 16:13

Try searching for local au pairs groups on facebook and then post there - there are plenty of au pairs staying in the UK for Christmas time that could use the extra money.

megletthesecond · 04/10/2015 16:19

I'm working one day over Xmas and suspect I'm going to be scuppered when it comes to finding xmas childcare. Am tempted to offer a friend with dc's the same age £40 + food + wine to do it.

Mrscog · 04/10/2015 16:20

At 11 and 7 I would also just try and find a student who wants to earn a bit of cash, you've got plenty of time to interview/get to know them if you get organised. It's the obvious solution - they're almost old enough to be left alone for 5 hours (not quite) so as long as there's someone a bit more responsible in the house they should be fine.

Squeegle · 04/10/2015 16:24

I suspect there may be some nannies or childminders around who may not be working those days and would relish the extra £££. Ask around your friends with kids - it may just work out.

rollonthesummer · 04/10/2015 16:28

All holiday clubs here are closed during Christmas week. That is for the town I live in, the city I work in

Really? Which city is that? Maybe someone on here knows somewhere?

CPtart · 04/10/2015 16:34

Sounds like you've been shafted for years. As an ex NHS employee I sympathise, the inflexibility of the system is ridiculous.
I hesitate to say it, but have been known to do this myself when desperate, and plenty of others too....ring in sick.

Iguessyourestuckwithme · 04/10/2015 17:25

Where are you? Some nannies who have time off work dring the xmas holidays may help out - have you tried childcare.co.uk

wizzywig · 05/10/2015 19:14

Is there a way you can find a new childminder, one that takes time off at another time of year. Or who has an assistant to cover?

Blondeshavemorefun · 05/10/2015 21:43

Where are you?

curvyredmug · 05/10/2015 21:49

What do you do in the NHS? Does your department have a secure staffroom where your kids could come and sit while you work? I've done that in the past (GP).

HaydeeofMonteCristo · 05/10/2015 22:07

Thank you, NHS people, for working over Christmas.

We appreciated it very much when DD had a heart operation on 23rd December.

You are all s

Nothing helpful to add to all the great advice you've had already, though.

NuffSaidSam · 06/10/2015 19:37

It will be really easy to find childcare for those two days. Uni students are home, sixth form students are home, nursery workers are home, all the people who work in all the clubs that are closed are home, many nannies will be home, many childminders will have spaces (because their normal charges are home).

Put up a couple of ads, put the word out and you'll have choices.

SophiaofSpain · 07/10/2015 14:19

Your best bet is to arrange playdates for the kids. I know christmas might not be ideal but there will be friends of your children who dont mind. Any Europeans? They celebrare on the 24th so wouldnt mind a playdate on the 25th for example. I wouldnt mind at all having an extra child around if it helped! Worth mentioning at the schoolgates and sending out feelers! X

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