Sorry for the delay, came on to reply and dh ended up needing laptop (in fairness, it's job stuff and that's much more important atm! ).
Firstly, yes, she's really lovely and has put it so nicely, her concerns are what I was worried about and that's why I was surprised today that she was so great about it. I do understand her concerns, just a little worried about things.
Right, to confirm......
Atm I have the following ages (I have variation):
Mon - 11 months, 2.4, 3.11 & 4.8 (ds)
Tues - 11 months, 2.4, 3.11 & 4.8 (ds)
Wed - 11 months, 2.4, 3.11 & 4.8 (ds)
Thurs - 9 months (double pay), 3.11 & 4.8 (ds)
Fri - 9 months (double pay), 3.11 & 4.8 (ds)
In January ds SHOULD become an over 5 as starts school full time (but that's another thread - OFSTED still ignoring me and won't confirm). Based on him being over 5, I was supposed to be increasing days with double pay baby (but those days at single rate of course) plus having a new baby round the corner start. Below I've shown what ages I will have in Jan IF Ofsted are ok about ds BUT I'm not including new baby as I think this won't happen now I'm pregnant (will refund deposit). Note 4.1 yr old is classed as over 5 as at pre-school all day:
Mon - 11 months, 1.1, 2.6, 4.1 & 4.10 (ds)
Tues - 1.1, 2.6, 4.1 & 4.10 (ds)
Wed - 1.1, 2.6, 4.1 & 4.10 (ds)
Thurs - 11 months (double pay), 4.1 & 4.10 (ds)
Fri - 11 months (double pay), 4.1 & 4.10 (ds)
As I've said, I'm pretty sure I won't have this baby round the corner because it's new business which I have room for but from when I return to work in approx July/Sept, I would be over my numbers unless I get a variation. I think I would rather stick with my current children and offer adhoc care until my baby is born, then my baby with take over ds's under 5 space. As for double pay baby's mum, she wanted the extra Monday for personal stuff so not for work. I'm hoping she'd still like to use that until nearer the time but need to check with her. I totally understand her not wanting to use or commit to using me once my baby is born PLUS I'd have to ask for a variation anyway so that's not an issue. It wouldn't have been 3 under 3 plus my baby though, it would have been 3 under 3 (incl my baby) and then one slightly over 3 who'd probably be attending pre-school/nursery.
Right..........now my main concern is her worry over me having her dd on the Thurs/Fri I currently have her for, up until the birth and shortly after. Believe me, I'd love to have 2/3 months maternity leave but I was worried about loosing business from the others for closing too long. BUT....I wonder if maybe I shouldn't worry about that as a) the 2 sisters mum will never change! (another thread!) and b) pre-schooler is term time only anyway so I wouldn't be needed until Sept (and tbh, I could happily start slightly earlier with her as I still have to do school runs for my own ds and hopefully she'll be at the same school from Sept 08).
Oh....you know what.....I don't even know what I'm thinking. Just wondering what to do and thinking out loud. Could do with any good words I can offer this mum to reassure her. Obviously I can't know if something will happen to stop me being able to have short maternity leave??? But surely, any CM can suddenly not be able to work for other reasons!
HELP!!!