Shift working

[BeQuickLemonTurtle]

Hi there,

Just exploring options for potential childcare.

My partner works 2 weeks on 2 weeks off (tues to tues) so would need childcare for the following rolling 4 week pattern:

Week 1 - Wed Thurs fri
Week 2 - Tues Wes Thurs Fri (but I could swap my nwd to do any other 4 days)
Week 3 - Mon Tues Wed
Week 4 - Tues and Wed (again could swap nwd to whatever 2 days could be accomodated)

Appreciate this is non standard so just wondered what the best bet was, e.g. childminder or nursery?

This would be a set 4 week pattern so would know months ahead and not changing shifts like most shift workint roles.

I would just pay for Tuesday Wednesday Thursday and then either ask for extra Monday/Friday as they occur of if they can't accommodate then you swap your days or take AL.

My Dd went to a Busy Bees chain nursery - nursery was fine and they allowed us to change days each week, we just had to let them know 4 weeks in advance. I’m sure other nurseries would allow this too, it doesn’t hurt to ask if you wanted to do a nursery!

Your best bet would be to find an undersubscribed nursery or childminder with spare spaces - then they might be more likely to let you do shifts.

Or as someone suggested, get a Tues/Wed/Thurs space and use an ad-hoc babysitter or take AL to cover the other days.

If you live somewhere with a childcare shortage though you'll just have to book a full time space.

Another option might be to look for a nursery near a hospital or another major employer that has a lot of people on shift patterns.

We offer care for shift workers so you may well find one locally that does, especially if they are near workplaces with shift workers such as a hospital.