How do I find Childcare to fit in with husband's 'offshore' 2+3 work rota

[TitianTigerCub]

Dear all
I'm a new(ish!) mum of a 3 month old baby boy and sadly have to go back to work at the beginning of February.
My husband works offshore for BP and his rota means he is 2 weeks away followed by 3 weeks at home. We have his rota for a year in advance.
The idea is for husband to look after wee one during his 3 weeks at home, then during his 2 weeks offshore I will need childcare mon-fri.
People have told me that I'll never get a nursery place unless I pay for a full-time slot but in fact I think I prefer the idea of a childminder anyway.
I did have one lined up (who used to work with me and left when she had a baby) who was happy with the 'rota' but she's just informed me she's giving up the idea of childminding and returning to work.
The people I have told have done a lot of 'sucking of teeth' and tutting telling me I'll never find another childminder who will take a baby on this rota basis.
Surely there must be some solution for people that work shifts etc? Can anyone help? I live in Surrey.
Many thanks

Could Dh HR dept help? There might be another family on opposite shift pattern that could share? Otherwise, I advetised in local paper for the specific care that I wanted didnt cost much and I found someone great. Good luck!

You may be able to get a childminder that will only charge you a 50% retainer for the 3 weeks off. However from your ds point of view I would look at him doing at least 2 days a week with the CM every week and ask if she could do the extra 3 days, perhaps at a higher rate on the weeks you need it.

Your ds will need the continuity of seeing the CM every week & your dhd will surely have stuff he could do more easily without have your ds to care for - home improvements, monthly shop, cooking for the freezer etc etc

Cargirl has a point.

The rota may work well for an adult, but not a young child. He needs continuity. It will be like settling him in again every three weeks. Baby could be with cm/ nursery full time while your dh is away, and maybe like cargirl says twice a week while your dh is home.

Thanks CarGirl & QuintessentialShadow, very helpful. You're right, my baby's needs absolutely come first and I take your point re continuity for bubba. I think the idea of 2 days every week plus an extra 3 days some weeks sounds like a good option. Mind you I think my husband would spend the spare time in front of his Playstation rather than do home improvements!
Where is the best place to find Childminders with vacancies? I like the idea of recommendation via word of mouth as I have no experience of what to look for (apart from common sense!) in a Childminder.
Moopymoo - that's a good idea, that way I can cut out wasting time by ringing people who aren't interested in 'part time' minding. As well as local newspapers is there a website for Childminders where I could 'advertise'?

Look on gumtree & surrey information services holds the list of current vacancies.

You will find it hard looking after your baby on your own & working full time, I think things like getting your dh to cook for the freezer for you to eat when he is away will make a big difference to your sanity & your budget!

I already do this for 1 of my mindees but the mum only works 2 days a week. Mindee comes 1 day per week and they pay 1/2 fee retainer for the second day but if needed pay the other 1/2 of the fee.

Hi where abouts in Surrey are you, as my parents childmind and would no doubt be happy with this type of arrangement.

If you want to send me an email, please do via my website stoneleighbabymassage.co.uk

Hi where abouts in Surrey are you, as my parents childmind and would no doubt be happy with this type of arrangement.

If you want to send me an email, please do via my website stoneleighbabymassage.co.uk

Hello eeyore12 - we live in Old Woking

Whereabouts in Surrey are you?

I am a childminder in Ashtead with a under 1 space from January.

I think that the 2 days a week plus 3 extra days would be the best option for continuity of care, and then you would have the option of more days when your husbands at home if you can persuade him that he does need to do the home improvements!

Lucy Pittock
lucypittock at hotmail.co.uk

You all type much faster than me!

You are about half an hour drive from my house in Ashtead.

Let us know how you get on!

Hi,
I'm in Sunbury and able to accomodate your needs.
Please email me if interested

websterc05 at aol dot com

Missy

Hi we are about 15 mins from the A3 at Tolworth towards Epsom, not sure if this is any help, as not sure where you have to travel to for work

A childminder sounds like a great idea but another option could be either a nannyshare or a nanny with her own child. Hope it all works out for you.