Childcare issues

[midnight1983]

Hi all, I wonder if anyone can help me? I am expecting my first child in March and have quickly worked out that I will have to go back to work full time once the baby is around 6 months old. I will be working different days each week and will need childcare between 3 and 5 days a week. I have been searching and searching for affordable (under £200 a week, but I do live in London) and flexible childcare but am coming up at many dead ends...does anyone have any advice of where to look? Or experience of any childcare in this vein? Any help, advice or shared experiences would be appreciated. Seems like being a working mum is tougher than I thought. Thanks in advance.

You might be best to try and find a child minder who only has 1 or 2 kids on a regular basis but would be able to do flexible days rather than a big nursery.

Or if you know you will definitely be working at least 2 days which are the same every week book baby into a nursery for at least those days and then use somewhere else for other days as required. Not an ideal situation but could work.

Or ask your local childrens centre as they will have a list of all registered childcare places close to you.

Only other thing is to ask friends who already have children if they could help you out with the odd day here & there, quite a few stay at home mums wouldnt mind doing it.

I know where I live you would find it hard to get flexible childcare. Nurseries have to pay their staff whatever so you tend to have to commit to days and pay whether you use the place or not.

I agree you may get a childminder who is more flexible but they are only allowed to look after a certain number of children so they would be restricted on taking other children if they kept everyday free for you on weeks you only work 3 days.

It's the same for teachers who can't get term time care.

Is there a way work could be a bit more fixed or is that out of the question?

Sadly work cannot be any more flexible. I think looking into a child minder who doesn't have too many other kids is best option. Thanks for the advice:)

There is also a way of swapping part of your wages for child are vouchers, which saves money in the long run as you don't get taxed for it xx