Which type of childcare for unusual situation???

[bellablue]

Hello,
I am new here, this is my first post
I start uni in September, so need care from then.
I have 3 dc's who will be 4.5, 2.11 and 10 onths.
The older 2 will attend same nursery.
my hours will be 3 x 10 hour days, but days will vary from week to week.
I live in rural area of sheffield, with closest cm 2 miles away.
Would a cm even consider us with 3 under 5?
would different days be a huge problem?
Also have to afford all this whilst on a meagre budget?
Which do you tihnk will be best way forward
Thanks for reading x

Think Sheffield Uni has a nursery - will that not be any good for you? Also think thwey take from tiny. As a cm myself I would not be willing to commit myself to different days each week, and don't know any CMs who would - and I live in Sheff.

Sorry I can't be much help, but welcome to MN, and watch out for Sheffield meets, we have them quite frequently if you are interested. [smikle]

Ooops - I meant

Had you thought about having a nanny and not sending the middle one to nursery?
Ultimately flexible, will do pickups and dropoffs for the eldest, and 2 x nursery places + CM will probably add up to nearly a nanny salary anyway...

Thanks for welcomes
The oldest starts fulltime nursery (funded) in Jan, and 2nd one entitled to frr place, which I will have 2 full and 1 half day, so cm/nanny will only have baby most of time.
I can emergency cover myself.
It will prob be year round not term time.
I can daf give 2 specific days, but 3rd one could be either tues/weds.
Any clearer???
not to me - lol

ps - Truly, I am not really illiterate...keyboard batteries are dying.

i'd just start phoning round all your local c/minders and see what they say
good luck

I think the difficulty will be finding a cm who has all of their 3 under 5 spaces available. But having a september start is in your favour tho - someone might have children going up to full time school.

With your need for different days, the way I charge is half fees for the days you need to reserve for your child(ren) [ie, that I won't be able to offer to another family]. So you pay full fees for the days booked an d half fees for the remaining time unused. Some childminders offer a sibling discount but sometimes this is only available on full-time placements.

If your income is less than £66,350 (its £58,175 if children are over 1) you may be able to claim childcare tax credits . If you're not eligible for tax credits look into childcare vouchers (ask your employer -hr/personnel dept).