Emergency/back up child care - what do you do?

[Haggisfish]

Hello all
My Mum looks after my toddler while I work 4 days a week. We pay her, but not as much as we would if she was in nursery (baby that is, not Mum!). my step dad is curently ill and Mum will probably have to spend a week or so caring for him. we can't really afford to put toddler in a nursery for a week and pay my mum (we are only source of income for my Mum, so have to pay her). I am a teacher and could take unpaid leave, but can't really afford this, and I don't want to leave students for that long with supply, as they are exam classes.

My questions:
Do nurseries take children in 'emergencies' such as this?
What do you all do for emergency child care if needed? We have no friends that I could ask, really.

Do you know of any other options?
Thanks
Haggis

Would it be possible for your DP to take a week off?

You could ask for a week of parental leave, it is unpaid. Or see if you could take time in lieu, and pay your work back the days you miss. Or see if you could take holiday.

Some childminders or nurseries may be able to help too, yes. I would start ringing round as it may be a bit tricky.