Childcare options - am I missing something?

[sparkleblue]

Hello! I am currently a SAHM to my DD 2.5, with baby no2 due at the start of next year. I work freelance and fit my work into evenings and weekends. Happy with this set up but it's already a squeeze! Work comes in waves and I will be able to take some down time when the baby is small.

My mum was coming up once a week to help but has told me this evening her anxiety is currently too bad to travel up and she can't guarantee regular visits for the foreseeable.

My question, am I missing a childcare option? I don't want DD in full time nursery as I love having her home. Preschool is an option for three mornings a week when she turns three. But I'm wondering if there are other options? Part time Nanny? I feel sad I can't balance it all, am only just about managing now, goodness knows how I'll do it with a baby too! Feeling nervous :( but am trying to be practical and realistic! Thank you! X

Childminder?

Private nurseries aren't full time or nothing. She could go for a couple of full days or some half days. You'd have to pay obviously, it's not free until they're 3yo.

You don’t have to put into nursery full time, a couple of days / mornings a week is normally acceptable. Especially if you are happy to be flexible about which days to fit around current part-timers (Friday is often quieter)

Other alternative is childminder or nanny share. At 2.5 nursery/preschool is probably best to prepare for school though

I’m confused. Nursery doesn’t need to be full time. Why can’t she go for 2 days a week.
Other alternatives are a childminder or a part time nanny

Childminder or nursery part time.

Discuss with the Dad, his kids too. Let him share the worry and planning and organising?

DD does two days a week at private nursery. Loads of kids are part-time there.

I was a SAHM, still am, with a disability. I worked part time when Ds was born but when he was 18 months I became a SAHM. We kept him in nursery one full day a week. It just depends if the nursery has space. Some do mornings or afternoons.

Or a childminder. Or a stay and play, they usually start from 2yrs and are about 2 hours. Ds2 went 2 mornings a week from 2.

Honestly don't feel bad, none of us are superheroes. We are all just trying to get to tomorrow. You need to do what works for you as a family.

Nursery isn't full time or no time. As others have said you can do half days, few hours etc depending on the cost and availability of places.

Other options include;
Nanny
Childminder
Babysitter
Few hours nursery
Paid pre school (a lot round her take them at 2)

Maybe look at childcare.co.uk for other options in your area (assuming uk based)

Literally every childcare option there is will let you do PT, I’m actually a bit confused why you’d be struggling to find something.

Some nurseries might have a minimum number of hours, often 2 full days or 3 half, but that’s only to help them settle as they thrive on consistency. They definitely do not need to go full time! Also have you throughly looked into all pre-school options near you? All the ones near me including the school nurseries take from 2 or 2 and a half. Childminder would also do PT hours. If you want something flexible then I know a few people that have joined fancy lifestyle club gyms and when they need it they use the crèche and work from the lounge area.

Loads of options - do your research and I’m sure you’ll find the best one for you.

Thanks all. Yes, aware of PT options, just wondered if I was missing some miraculous set up that exists out there but of course that's never the way! Feeling very overwhelmed with pregnancy and toddler and work at the moment! Finding out about my mum this eve didn't help, went into panic mode! Need to do some better research for our area and yes, accepting that none of us are superhuman is probably a good place to start. Thanks for all your comments! X

Deffo look at nursery. Most nurseries have a minimum amount of time. Often two days week or two half days .. mine did/youngest still does one day with my mum, two at nursery & two with me. You have complete control at nursery. Drop them off when you choose & pick them up when you choose. When I was going into work pre-covid, we dropped off at 8am & picked up at 5pm. But when we moved to WFH, dropped off at 9am & picked up at 4pm. You can do what you want & take holiday etc when you want (although you do pay for it even when you aren’t in 🙈)

Pre school or nurseries will be your best bet op.
She'll absolutely love it and does them the world of good.
You can only do so much, it will benefit you both