Is it possible to send your DC to a CM on an ad hoc basis?

[MegBusset]

I am considering going back to work as a freelance sub, which would mean doing odd days in offices here and there, so I wouldn't be able to send DS to a CM on an ongoing basis. But just wondering if I would be able to have a CM that I could call and hand over DS to for a day or two as and when I needed to? Or do CMs only want to take on kids on an ongoing, regular basis?

I think that CM would find this hard, as they can only have a certain number of children under 5,and if they only had your DS as and when, they would lose out on money

You might be better off using a nanny who works part time who is looking for a bit of extra cash on days off - though a nanny normally would want more per hour than a CM

I have two children that come to me like this!

The parents call, and if I have space, then they come.

But I do think that a lot of childminders will find this hard

Some childminders do it much more part time and therefore may be able to help, others actually advertise as adhoc too. I currently do adhoc care as I'm expecting my own baby in a few months so I never filled the extra space when my son turned 5, just have adhoc for that space until my own baby comes.

I think you should ring round and ask people, you never know

Thanks for your replies, I had a feeling it might be tricky. I will call around and see if I can find anyone that might be able to do it.

Some parents in this sort of situation book a childminder or nursery for 1 or 2 days a week anyway, either working at home on the days they don't have meetings/go to office etc or catching up on housework, shopping or using that time to book appointments (hairdresser, gp/optician check ups etc). Its usually the only way to guarantee the space is there when you need it. Not everyone can afford to do that though, and you may require care on different days.

If you use a childminder on an ad-hoc there is rarely any guarantee of a place. Most childminders can only offer ad-hoc care when they have an unfilled vacancy (which they will likely want to fill with a long-term child asap) or if an existing mindee is on holiday or off sick.

Also, if your child attends irregularly it can be much more difficult to settle in - depends on your child's personality/age etc. Sometimes can work really well, sometimes not so well. Good luck!

It depends how flexible you can be on the weeks you work. I used to have 3 children (from the same family) on an adhoc basis. The dad was in prison and the mum would ring me to say she wanted to visit him. I would give her a list of days where I had spaces and she would pick one of them. Another family worked shifts and they used to pay me for a minimum number of hours each week. Basically, this other mum would be fitted around my regular family.

The only way to find out is to ring some childminders to ask.

FL.

This is the sort of arrangement which would appeal to me, in fact reading your op has reminded me to contact the CIS and amend my profile to say just that.
I only have after school pickups of over eights at the moment as that suits me, but wouldn't mind having odd days here and there on an ad-hoc basis at all.

A zero hour contract is possible for some CM's... as Loonytune says, it can help fill a temporary space.
However, it is important that you understand that a zero hour contract means that you are not allocated a space, so when you call to ask if you child can come the next day, a day the next week, the CM may well say No - as they may be full, or may have an outing planned and thus may not want as many children that day.

Message withdrawn

Sadly not, I'm in Enfield, but thanks anyway!