Help! How does someone with only very occasional freelance work get childcare?

[lucymc]

Before having my DS 21 mths, I worked as a freelance standby prop in TV. I've just been offered a 3 week film, but have had to turn it down as I have no idea how to find someone willing to cover filming hours, 6.30/7am till 8pm, who is also happy to only work for three weeks. Is anyone in a similar situation? What do you do?

Temporary nanny agencies could be useful Also ad hoc nanny shares. Basically with this kind of working arrangement, I think you need to keep your eye open for many possibilitites and hope that you can make it work.

Fabulous ideas ladies, thank you. I'm in the same boat too sometimes!

I was in the same situation for a while last term. I used www.emergencychildcare.co.uk or .com can't remember which. Was very very easy to use. I could book into a choice of nurseries or cms, and could arange childcare at 12 hr notice. Fees were reasonable as well. dd is now actually at the nursery we used and the cost is very similar.