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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Is there any childcare solution that could help me with this problem?

22 replies

Weegle · 10/11/2008 10:48

I have an au pair who works alongside me as an extra pair of hands with my 2 year old as I have a disability. Works great, all tickety boo. Problem is that I have been offered a 3 week course of treatment which is Tuesdays and Thursdays for those 3 weeks, which annoyingly are the days my AP goes to college. I can't change the dates as there's a huge demand for this treatment and so you take it or forfeit your place, and it's in a facility which is only staffed on Tues & Thurs, so even if I could change the dates I would still have a problem. I don't feel I could really ask my AP to miss more than one class to help me as it wouldn't be fair. My DH can do one day but all the other dates has work commitments he can't get out of. I have one friend who can cover another one. All other friends seem to be busy on all those dates (feeling a bit hurt about that as if the shoes was on the other foot, but hey ho). So the problem is I'm left with 3 dates I can't find any childcare. What can I do? And if anyone knows any possible solutions can they give an idea of cost? The other main issue is the time I would be out is from 12.30-3pm so right over my DS' nap time so ideally I need the help here, although I realise beggars can't be choosers. I'd be grateful for any ideas of things I may not have thought of...

OP posts:

saadia · 10/11/2008 10:56

Maybe check the OFSTED website for local CMs and call up and ask if they would be willing to come in. I think there are also nanny agencies which might provide ad hoc childcare, good luck though. Does your au pair have any friends aho might be able to help out?

Original poster

Weegle · 10/11/2008 11:06

Thank you - I thought about AP's friends but she knows them all from college! So same problem.

I'm concerned an "emergency" nanny would be too expensive - how much do they generally cost?

Will go to OFSTED website now and see if I can find a local childminder but I'm guessing they are going to need me to take DS to them aren't they? Also DS has been through a lot of upheaval recently (just started pre-school) and we are about to move house so I'm concerned about stability for him, but again, I know I can't be picky if I want to make this happen...

OP posts:

kkey21 · 10/11/2008 11:15

Why don't you let us know where you are? One of us may be able to help?
It's certainly something i would consider if you were within my area....

Original poster

Weegle · 10/11/2008 11:20

I'm in west Kent - right on the border with W Sussex and Surrey.

I've found one childminder's details via the Childcare Link site (from Ofsted) which could be suitable although I think I will have to take DS there. She's £6 per hour - is this reasonable? She specifically says she can do short term arrangements, and less than 10 minute drive from me. There's no reply at the moment, but will try again later.

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krugerparkrules · 10/11/2008 11:24

weegle could you ask the clinic/hospital if there is a creche your child could go to, or be with you? Not ideal but perhaps the hospital has some facility for childcare for staff, or other? Is their a gym around you that might be able to offer you some short cover? Perhaps if you explained your situation they might do something like this (we have a local pool near us and you can book your children in for a period into the nursery)
Other than that could you phone your friends say these are three dates and times and i have to have cover on, i know its difficult, but i need this treatment and i need childcare and could you help me come up with a solution! perhaps if you put it more black and white, and ask them to help you find a solution to childcare they might do the right thing!!!!!
Other than that could your Ap recommend someone who might want a little bit of work for extra money for those times, ask her if she knows someone in her class, group of frineds .....
sorry not many ideas but hopefully you will come up with something ...

kkey21 · 10/11/2008 11:28

We are in Hertfordshire-sorry i cannot be of help....
I am sure the childminder will reply to you, fingers crossed you get something sorted. x

Original poster

Weegle · 10/11/2008 11:32

He definitely can't come with me - it's hydrotherapy so will be by a pool etc. I checked the hospital and it doesn't have a creche. I don't really know the town but I know there is a sports centre, so maybe I could ring them and see if they have a creche - that's a good idea as if it's in the town I've got the appointment in it'll only be approx one hour so less traumatic for DS and he can sleep in the car on the way home. Yes, will try that!

I really hate asking people for favours and feel a little gutted that only one friend has said she can help (and she was lovely, said she would do all of them if she could but she's working the other dates). Some of the others have genuine reasons but one said she can't do any Tuesdays because that's the day she meets her antenatal group friends! And she's DS' godmother! I do have one other friend I can ask but she's on holiday at the mo. I had hoped that if each friend took one day then I wouldn't be asking too much of one person, but it's not worked out that way.

OP posts:

krugerparkrules · 10/11/2008 11:37

weegle i would ask the friend with the antenatl group to please do this for you! I would outline all the things you have already done to get childcare, tell her you hate asking her to give up something but you need her as a friend - its for therapy not like you are going christmas shopping! I would pull the godmother card and say that you will return the favour to her, help her with childcare at some point. Sometimes you need to be more blunt with friends! (I hardly am, but when friends are blunt with me, it works and i respond!) Perhaps they are unaware of the stress you are under finding childcare and are hoping "someone else will do it"!!!! Could your child not go with her to her antenatal group!!!

ps £6 an hour sounds reasonable to me ....

Original poster

Weegle · 10/11/2008 11:47

that's what I thought? well why can't DS go with you?! ok, will try talking to her again. Must admit it's not really like her and she's always saying "if there's anything I can do let me know" - and now I need her and she said she can't help!

ok so I have a few more avenues - a childminder and will try calling the leisure centre creche... have to go out now but when I get back I will continue my search!

Thank you all... any more ideas keep them coming!

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Booh · 10/11/2008 12:15

Maybe there is a childminder on here who could help??

MissyMay · 10/11/2008 15:26

Where abouts are you? I'm in Sunbury which is 5 mins from M25 if any good for you?

MissyMay

MissyMay · 10/11/2008 15:26

Sorry M25 junction 12 x

Original poster

Weegle · 10/11/2008 16:08

thanks MissyMay - that's too far I'm afraid, and in the opposite direction to where the appointment is.

I tried the Leisure Centre creche but they only take children where the parent/guardian is using the leisure centre's facilities. Am waiting for the childminder to ring me back.

OP posts:

MissyMay · 10/11/2008 16:43

No problems x

tw70 · 10/11/2008 17:06

Whereabouts is the appointment?

Blondeshavemorefun · 10/11/2008 17:45

its a shame none of your friends can help

if the cm doesnt get back to you, then the other solution could be a temporary/emergancy nanny - costs very but you are prob looking at about £10ph and then if through an agency their cost, which could be about £30 daily

where excalty are you, as i am in west kent - maybe I could help?

Original poster

Weegle · 10/11/2008 18:26

The appointment is in Sevenoaks, at the hospital. I live in a small town as far west as you can get in Kent beginning with E - don't want to out myself completely!

DH has come home from work and announced he can do another date with some juggling around, and he's said I've got to bite the bullet and ring my parents and ask for help. I hate to do so though as they are 120 miles away currently going through hell following my grandmother having a stroke.

I feel pants at the moment though, so apart from MN'ing I'm waiting till the morning when I feel more lively to continue my search!

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Blondeshavemorefun · 10/11/2008 19:46

OMG weegle!!

would you trust me?

will cat you x

navyeyelasH · 10/11/2008 20:02

I think nanny nick covers your area? Also look on the babysitting link, someone might be able to juggle you link

Original poster

Weegle · 10/11/2008 20:17

BHMF - have you sent the cat yet? I haven't got it, but might take a while... would I have reason not to trust you It's more DS being a pickle with people he doesn't know.

I'm now down to 4 covered, 2 stuck - so looking slightly better. And just emailed another friend tonight...

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Original poster

Weegle · 10/11/2008 20:22

NannyNick is too far west I think, think it's about an hour away. and none of the others on the babysitting thread are anywhere near, but good idea!

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 10/11/2008 20:35

yes sent it as soon as i posted

though some cats take forever

messaging isnt instant!!

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