Opinions on Working Hours

[RaeCJ82]

I would really appreciate people's opinions on my situation re childcare.
I currently work 30 hours over 4 days on two shifts patterns, 08:30-17:00 and 08:45-17:15. My OH drops off our DD at nursery at 8 and I pick her up after I finish work. It takes me half an hour to get to her nursery and we often aren't home till 6.15pm.
DD has a full time nursery place and due to our circumstances we don't have anybody around us who can look after our daughter/babysit, so currently my day off is my only chance to go to appointments/clean/do the shopping etc child free. I realise though that these are long days for our DD at nursery. Just to add, I do pick her up early on my day off.
I'm thinking to change my hours to 6 hours a day over 5 days so that I can pick up DD early every day and she can have tea at home and have a bit more time with me on a daily basis but not sure if this is the way to go. What do people think please? I really could do with opinions on this. Thanks

I would go for the shorter days and have longer with her at home.

I think it’s a lovely idea just don’t be surprised if you are still pay for a full day space at nursery and only using 6 hours.

Honestly? I wouldn’t have her in nursery for the fifth day, I’d keep her with me. Obviously it’s personal preference but that’s what I’d do. Even if you have stuff to do you can potter about together.

I’d keep the four days a week working longer hours and not use childcare for the 5th. I love my days off with my kids.

I'm struggling to understand why you need an entire day every week to do cleaning, shopping and appointments alone? I work 30 hours over 4 days and I am with my DD on my day off. I do minimal chores on that day, just if I can fit the odd things in around her whilst she's playing or napping then I do. I do minimal food shopping if necessary with her. The other things DH and I do on the evenings or the weekend. I had a while where I did have a fair few appointments that I wouldn't want to take DD to and DM looked after her for those but I don't have them regularly anymore. Unless you've got particular health needs where you are having very regular appointments then I'm not sure why you'd need that, esepcially because often you could book them in for an extra day ad hoc if they've got availability (have done that myself a few times in urgent circumstances). Or could you at least reduce the last day to a half day session?

Thanks for your opinions. Totally expect to have to pay for 5 full days still and to be honest, as we have nobody around to provide care at short notice, I wouldn't want to change that whether I work 4 or 5 days. We didn't get in until 6.20 this evening and then we were trying to get her upstairs at 7.15 to start her bedtime routine. Just seems very rushed.

How will you manage appointments etc etc if you're working five days? Won't it just make life harder and more stressful and use up more annual leave than if you have the flexibility a four day week brings?

I think if you did 6 hours at work each day, you could even skip a lunchbreak and be done sooner.

Would your employer accommodate 5x 6 hour shifts? If so, what would they be?

I would still have time between finishing work and the end of the nursery day at 6pm to fit things in if needs be.

I found 4 days the best - you can spend the 5th day on fun stuff, and a bit of life admin too.

Yes, I was thinking to do 9-3:15 every day with just a short 15 min break to have lunch.

I think a four day week even with longer days is better. You can give her the day off on the 5th day if you don’t have any appointments, she seems tired, a bit poorly, whatever. I assume the 4 days you work varies each week so you have to pay for all five?
As PP say, I would be trying to do more chores at the weekend or with her around if possible. Get shopping online for example.

Legally you have to take 30 mins break if you work over 6 hours.

Do you work the same 4 days each week? I don’t understand why she’s in on the 5th day if you only work 4?

@Taswama I’m fairly sure it’s 20 minutes but only if you work over 6 hours. So you don’t need a break if you work 9-3 for example, but 9-3.15 would need a 20 minutes break.

I work 30 hours over 3 days and only have a half hour lunch break so that I can condense my hours as much as possible... not sure if you’re legally allowed to work 8-6 with only half an hour off, but it works for me lol

I would only be working 6 hours a day. The law is a 20 minute break if you work over 6 hours.

My DD normally is in half a day on my day off unless I have something that means I can't pick her up after lunch. We pay for the 5 day childcare because we have nobody nearby who can help with childcare at short notice. If I need to switch days at work or whatever then I can do this and still have childcare. A lot of people have grandparents to help in situations like this but we don't have that.

Thinking long term I’d stick to 4 longer days. Then when she gets to school you d have a day off each holiday week with her whereas 5 short days mean you d be putting her in full time holiday clubs throughout all her holidays.

Speaking as nursery staff I would say work the shorter days and pick her up earlier. Parents often don’t realise how exhausting and hard it is for little ones to do such long days.

I preferred to have a full day without being at work.
I know it is rushed 4 x a week but you won't get much done in the couple of hours at the end of the afternoon.

If your work is happy with you working different hours (I'm presuming this as you are suggesting changing your hours to a different pattern), and as your OH does the drop off in the morning, what about you starting at 7.15 or 7.30, and then getting to leave an hour to an hour and a half earlier ? This is what we did for a few years when ours were young and dh was doing the drop off - it meant I could start work at 7.15 and leave by 4.45 which gave a bit more time in the evening to make a meal etc before bed.

Having a day when you aren't a work is FAR more useful than those extra hour at home each day though.

Can't you book a 5th day on an ad hoc basis when you actually need it? I book extra days at nursery when I need them, as long as they have a few days or week's notice it's usually fine.

I'm not sure what we'll do when she's at school. I'd like to be able to pick her up and walk home with her at least a couple of days a week, instead of her being in after school club every day, so will have to reconsider working hours at that point.

I honestly could not be in work for 7.15 to 7.30 every day. I struggle to make it in for 8.30. I don't think my work would want me to be in before the rest of the employees based around the country start anyway.

How often do you swap shifts etc? It seems a bit crazy to have her in nursery on your day off when you're moaning about not seeing her. Most things can be done with a child in tow.

I have worked 5 short days since the dcs were born. Yes, it means that I don't get a minute to myself, but it felt best for the children. They always had time to ay and have tea at home, and I was able to do school runs when they started school.

How much does the extra days travel to work cost? Something to factor in