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Nurseries

Find nursery advice from other Mumsnetters on our Nursery forum. For more guidance on early years development, sign up for Mumsnet Ages & Stages emails.

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Original poster

Nurseries and shift-working - how do you make it work?

20 replies

BellaCB · 18/04/2012 20:56

DD won't need to go into nursery until the autumn but I'm already stressing myself out about nurseries work!

Basically, it looks likely that by the time DD starts nursery my DP will be doing shift work, on a 6 day on, 4 day off rotation, and of those 6 days on it will be two early shifts, two late shifts, two night shifts. And those hours will be inflexible and there won't be any room for him to leave early, start late etc. Its also most likely that I will be working f/t, commuting into London, again with little flexibility. (And don't even get me started on how we'll have to have grandparents on standby in case the train line breaks!) This leaves us with a real issue as regards to nursery timings - even if we get in to a nursery that is open 7.30-6.30, I'm not entirely sure these hours will work for us in terms of the commute.

How do other people cope with this? Do any nurseries allow you to sign up for anything other that set days and hours (I'm guessing we'll just have to pay for a f/t place for DD)? We have so little flexibility in terms of changing our jobs or working more locally - someone please tell me nice stories about how this works to calm me down!

OP posts:

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TiggyD · 18/04/2012 21:12

If 7.30-6.30 won't work for you, you won't be able to use a nursery. How about a nanny?

Rubirosa · 18/04/2012 21:18

You'd probably need to pay for a nursery place 5 days a week 8am-6pm (if you're lucky you might find one with longer hours) - and then get someone else to do drop-offs and pick-ups?

A live-in nanny would be a better bet if you essentially need 7-7 coverage. Or a very flexible childminder. Possibly a combination of nursery/CM and an au pair.

Original poster

BellaCB · 18/04/2012 21:23

Sadly, a nanny is a definite no-no, we will barely be able to afford nursery!

I'm sure we can force 7.30-6.30 to work for us, its just going to be difficult if I have to go back to my old job which is a longish commute. I guess I'm also worrying because DP's job means he could get held up and not make it for a pick up, so its safest if we can make it work so I could theoretically do drop-off and pick-up.

I'm in alone (with no wine!) and probably just stressing myself out for nothing, after we have agreed that I need to go back f/t ... There must be other people who manage a shift work situation? Some inspiring stories?

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Neverme · 18/04/2012 21:29

Bella is your dp joining the police?! Because my dp does that exact shift pattern in the met!

I work 4 days a week and we are a 30 min train ride from London. I am lucky in that I can work from home 2 days a week plus flexibility to leave slightly early if nec for pickup. On days dp is on late turn I go in really early, like being in office for 7.30. Then I leave a bit early to do pickup.

It all works out. Can you work at home or do flexi time?

roughtyping · 18/04/2012 21:31

My DP does that shift pattern too, admin-type stuff for police but up in Scotland.

Could DC go to a nursery nearer your work?

Original poster

BellaCB · 18/04/2012 21:35

neverme, yes, its that bloody nightmare shift pattern!

My work is very nice but have a bit of an old-fashioned view to working hours, and there have been arguments about people leaving early etc for childcare. Really I do need to find a new job, something a little easier to commute to, but my sector has been pretty hard hit by the recession so I am planning on the worst case scenario of returning.

Does your dp ever have an issue with finishing his shift on time?

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Neverme · 18/04/2012 21:41

Bella yes there have been times when I've had to leave earlier than I wanted as dp is caught up at work. Depends I suppose what is going on.

But on that shift pattern he will be working 2 weekends out of 3 - so lots of days off during the week = easy commuting for you

You're lucky you won't have to experience the Olympic shift pattern - 7 days on , 3 off. I can hardly wait...

Original poster

BellaCB · 18/04/2012 21:47

I know you're right, there are going to be plenty of times when dp is off most of the week, and one of us will just have to take half days or holidays when there is going to be a nightmare. And I'm sure we can sweet talk GPs into helping out. It just seems a bit of a nightmare thinking about it in advance. Financially we have no choice but for me to go back to work f/t, and unfortunately as we both work in London I don't think that childcare near work is a possibility. Maybe I'm just projecting my worries about putting DD into nursery...

And you poor thing with the Olympic shift pattern, you have my complete sympathy! Are you taking time off to cope with it?

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Neverme · 18/04/2012 21:56

Yes it is a lot to think about. You'll be fine - it's a massive step to take going back to work even without childcare stresses!
Re olympics I think I'm just going to rely on home working/ commuting at non peak times. Dp is also warned for the riot police on standby in that period but they haven't even released shifts for that yet so who knows what will happen

Original poster

BellaCB · 18/04/2012 22:00

Thanks neverme, that was the reassurance I needed. I know that my work are going to be pains if I have to go back there, but its great to hear that someone else is coping with commuting into London and shift work too.

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Neverme · 18/04/2012 22:09

I'd also make sure you have local contact in case of trains going wrong etc so they can pick up dd in emergencies. I also keep an eye on my trains when I'm in the office in case I need to plan alternative route home

Gumby · 18/04/2012 22:14

I think a nanny or childminder might be cheaper & more convenient for you tbh
Sadly I had to work weekends so I could do childcare in the week while dh worked

Original poster

BellaCB · 19/04/2012 21:30

Thanks all - to calm my panic I managed to contact a few local childminders today and they seem happy enough to talk about slightly non-standard childcare, so I feel much better now!

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cookielove · 20/04/2012 23:10

I know its a bit late now, but i just wanted to let you know that some chain nurseries

TheDetective · 20/04/2012 23:18

Bella, was going to recommend a childminder - much more flexible and cheaper over all.

Glad to hear you have spoken to some today and have had positive reactions!

Ambi · 20/04/2012 23:26

I have this same issue currently, DH works 4 on 4 off so can care for DD for most of the week some weeks and wants to spend time with her if he hasn't seen her over the weekend. We currently use a combination of Nursery / GPs. DC2 is due in the summer, this time I will be looking for more flexible childcare as I begrude paying for days when DH has her at home. I've found a nursery near a hospital which accommodates shift work, however will probably opt for a flexible childminder for DDs school pick ups. I won't need this arrangement until this time next year but I've given it some thought

Original poster

BellaCB · 21/04/2012 18:16

I put an add on a big childcare website explaining that I was looking for a childminder who could be flexible with shifts and the possibility of an occasional late pick up and have had quite a few responses, so it does look like this is the way forward. I'm hoping they'll agree to having her for 16 days out of the four weeks and then maybe some weeks DP can have DD at home 3 days a week, other weeks she will be with the childminder 5 days a week. But thanks for the tip, cookie, we'll investigate our local nurseries too and see if they can be flexible!

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BirdyBedtime · 24/04/2012 13:50

Hope you manage to sort something out. Not sure if there are any nurseries your way that do variable hours - we were so lucky when DD first went to nursery that they gave us variable 3 days per week and we only had to pay for the 3 days. When we moved house the nurseries nearby did not offer the flexibility, but luckily my employer allowed me to work flexible days so we then needed 3 fixed days at nursery. Lots of good advice above. DH now works a variable 5 week shift pattern so that's a challenge - particularly when he gets kept on at the end of the shift but you do just cope as what is the alternative ........

Original poster

BellaCB · 24/04/2012 17:47

Thanks birdy. We actually met a lovely childminder at the weekend who was happy to do flexible hours as long as she had a guaranteed income every month, but we worked out that it actually is the same number of hours really every month. I feel much happier with her too as she is much more flexible in case anything happens to the trains or at my DP's work which means she might suddenly have DD for an extra few hours a day. But that's so lucky of you to find a nursery that does that!

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Littleapplesnursey · 01/05/2012 07:46

Was just reading this thread and wondering where you were commuting from? We are a new nursery opening in the south Croydon area that aims to work alongside parents that work, we do this through our unique flexible hours. We are open from 7am until 7pm! We have an fun, family, free open event this weekend at 14-20 sanderstead road from Saturday the 5th until Monday the 7th may, sessions running from 10am until 12pm and 2pm until 4pm. Feel free to pop down for any additional info email [email protected].

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