First time mum going back three (long) days a week - what childcare should I be going for???

[whattheheck]

Says it all - please help me decide. Back in 4 months and panicking. Will be working in London 3 days a week but at least two of those won't get home til 8.30
I'm guessing nanny or nanny share is my only option - childminders and nurseries won't work that late would they? - but what would this cost? And would any nanny do this (DH doesn't usually get home til past 7)

Worth calling round some childminders on the off chance that they would consider working that late... but I think you are right to say that it's quite unlikely.

A nanny would - though some won't, so it will be a case of advertising the job with the hours you will need and see who applies. You work in London but where do you live? Nannies outside of the M25 seem to get paid quite a bit less than London nannies... I expect you could get a well qualified and experienced nanny for £10 gross per hour outside London, whereas inside the M25 it would be £12 gross or more.

Have a look through message threads on this section of Mumsnet about nannies... that will give you more of an idea of what a nanny does, what it costs including the extra things beyond just the salary.

8.30 is late but then again is only for 2 days, hopefully children will be in bed asleep by 7.30 and nanny can sit on sofa and have tea

can dh come home early those 2 days or if in after 7pm why would the nanny need to stay till 8.30pm?

How about a mix of a childminder till 6pm and then a regular babysitter to pick up and take the children home and get them ready for bed, if its less than 2 hours a day they don't have to register.
I would contact some local childminders and go and see them, some options may come to light. Some childminders will work late and some are also registered for overnight care so are quite happy to bath them etc.
Expect to pay double for after 6pm.
I have children with me till 6pm then take them home and babysit sometimes overnight so you may find someone to do this.

Thank you for all the suggestions - nannynick I live in London so yikes I'm looking at £12 gross an hour.
blondeshavemorefun - yes DH does get in usually at 7 but he has an unpredictable job as well plus a good 45 mins - 1 hr across london, so I would have to have someone who wd be willing to work past 7 just in case.
Danthe4th that sounds like it could be an option - if a childminder wd be willing to do that...

Hi - not sure if this helps but we both have "unpredticable" jobs; fortunately having kids have made us more predictable. We commit to doing 2 nights each and leave when we say we will (don't count Friday as usually easy to get out on time). If you are only working 3 days it's only really one night each. The kids really value bedtime with us. If I have to work later, I pick up the phone once they are asleep.

We have a nanny who is flexible if all really goes to pot and one of us can't get out. Although this has one happened a handful of times in 2 years. A nanny will keep you sane and worth it if you are still investing in your career(s).

I guess I just wanted to say folk often expect this once you have had kids.

Good luck.

Nannies are a very costly option for care of one child. More viable with 2, better with 3 or more children.
You can get an idea for local nanny salary expectations by looking on job listings sites like www.NannyJob.co.uk, www.GreatCare.co.uk and sites where nannies can advertise to parents such as www.Childcare.co.uk, www.FindABabysitter.com

Hi, I'm a registered childminder and I would cover those long hours, I do charge a higher fee after 6pm (like an overtime rate), you should ring around and ask some local childminders as alot of us are registered for overnight care and take on long hours to cover shift workers etc, and it's only for a couple of days a week, good luck x

Although I am not in London, I think that a childminder could be a good option for you, there are childminders who work flexible hours. I would have a look on
childcarefinder.direct.gov.uk/