How/where do you find childcare?

[maamalady]

DD is 11 months, I'm a SAHM with no plans to change that. However there are starting to be times when DH and I need to be on our own (medical appointments, evenings out etc) and I've got no idea where to start looking for childcare.

For daytime stuff I don't suppose nurseries allow ad hoc short stays? Family live a long way away - in a pinch MIL would probably drive the 2hr to help, but it's obviously a big ask. Friends all work, so don't feel able to ask them either, especially when we'd be at a medical appt (feels very personal).

How do you find babysitters for actual babies? I always think "babysitter" refers to a teenager looking after a sleeping six year old while their parents are out for dinner, so doesn't quite fit here. Is there something else we've not thought of?

Check sitters.co.uk. I havent used them but a friend has.

Some nurseries and childminders will do Pay-As-you-go but it is not common.

Sites like www.childcare.co.uk list many providers of childcare.
Think local, some shops have postcard sized ads.

Local nannies may only work part-time and have some spare capacity to do the occasional few hours in day or evening or a whole day or even a long weekend.

Anything is possible these days, you just need to find the right people and that is tricky. A little investment in advertising, paid membership of websites so you can send local childcarers messages and you may find one or two local people who are ideal.

Try your council website to look for childminders who may also offer babysitting services. Also ask at the library.
If there's a local college approach them to see if they do childcare courses and ask if they have any students looking for work. Ditto local nurseries.
Best route though is recommendation from other parents locally.

My 16yoDD does babysit and she's very sensible, but she would only do for kids aged 1 and up. It might be worth asking neighbours too in case they have older kids who could do with the cash and can get home easily afterwards.
Good luck.

Just had another thought that if it is for medical appointments you could take the baby with you as the nursing staff are usually very happy to give a cuddle to help out. Worth trying?

Nooooo please don't expect medical staff to step in to wrangle baby

Ad hoc care v hard to come by. Maybe ask at your local mum and baby group? Dh takes time off to have baby while you are at appts.

Not possible for medical stuff - it's IVF so rather cruel to other patients to take the baby with us, as well as being lengthy appointments.

Will definitely try the other suggestions though, thank you everyone :)

I'm a part time nanny and also do ad hoc care on the days I'm not working, so it does exist. I would agree with PPs and try childcare.co.uk and sitters websites.

Good point patti