thinking of returning to work - help please

[racmac]

Im thinking of going back to work maybe 30 hours per week. I have 3 DS aged 9, 4 & 3
9 yr old at full time school.
4 yr old at pre school 15 hrs per week with option to increase this - full time school starts Sep
3 yr old will start pre school 15 hrs in Sep with option to increase this and i can pay for houyrs between 9 - 3 now if i want to.

Would a cm take all 3 children? How much generally do you charge - Im in Midlands.

Would i be better with a nanny? or au pair? do they expect to live in?

Any advise?

I have three children and work.

Two school age go to CM before school and have their breakfast. She takes them to school and picks them up too. Looks after them till about 5 when I collect them. Gives them a snack. Charges me an hourly rate for when they are there. At the moment I am paying £5 per hour for both of them - but that is a bit of a bargain. The going rate is £4.50/£5 ph here in South East.

DC3 is under 12 months. He goes there all day. I pay £5 ph for him.

When they go to nursery it is usual (if the cm takes them to nursery and then pciks them up 9am- 12pm )for the cm to charge you for the hours they are at nursery as well as the afternoon.

TBH your best bet is to ask around in the playground at school. Then chat to the cm there. If they can't do it they are pretty good at finding you someone who can. They are very networky here! I just ask around and usually get sorted within a day or two when my childcare needs rearranging.