Term-time only childcare? (esp. in Surrey)

[surreygirl1987]

Hi all,
I'm expecting our first child in a few weeks, and have been thinking ahead to when my maternity leave ends.

My husband and I are both school teachers in Surrey. Nurseries are so expensive per day that it hardly seems worthwhile me going back to work but I want to anyway- probably 3 or 4 days a week. However, I really resent having to pay half-fees for nursery in the school holidays when we wouldn't be using it. We were really hoping to claw back a bit of money by saving on childcare during the school holidays. Our own parents are all more than 100 miles away so no chance of family childcare help sadly.

Now, I totally understand why nurseries charge this half fee, but is there any other option? I know childminders are an option and one I would consider but I'd like to consider nursery options first (worried about if the childminder took the day off ill etc- I'd have no backup plan!). Are there any nurseries that actually offer term time only without holiday fees at all? I've found one or two prep school nurseries but they only take children from 2+... but we'd need childcare from under 1 year.

If anyone knows of any such place in Surrey in particular (Epsom/Reigate sort of area) that would be wonderful!!

im near ish that area but im a childminder, i offer term time only contracts so you will def find some childminders who offer that. cant comment on nurseries sorry. try asking on facebook. there is a reigate and dorking childcare page as well as epsom and ewell familes. they should be able to offer more help

Childminder would definitely be your best bet, I don’t think any nurseries around here would be able to not charge anything in the holidays - the good ones are all very popular with long waiting lists.

Childminders can often work with assistants and co minders as well as network with other child-minders so can often arrange emergency cover in rare event they are ill, most are rarely ill as they don't get paid. In 25 years I've had less than 3 weeks in total for things like funerals and an occasional bug brought in by sick mindees some of those days may well have been in school holidays they have then been covered by friends that my families and children know well.