To set the scene - currently doing my NQT in a school which is about 35 minutes away in the car. DH works about 1 hr commute away. My contract is fixed term, which is fine. I'll probably look at a school closer to home for next September. I do enjoy teaching at this school, and will be sad to leave.
Dc's school breakfast club doesn't open until 30 minutes after we leave for work, and no childminders doing drop-offs nearby. We had a nanny who has been unable to cope with the wraparound hours, so are currently on the hunt for another nanny. Because no one wants to do mornings only, we've offered additional hours, both wraparound and some whole days with housekeeping. Basically, trying to accommodate what a nanny might need in order to keep her. We are offering towards the upper end of the going rate for nannies.
It is all getting very expensive! To the point where I am asking myself what on earth am I doing, and wouldn't it be better just to stay home and do the school runs and housekeeping myself? Dh doesn't mind, but apart from maternity leave, I have always been in work or studying, and it's really important to me to maintain financial independence.
I wondered how other teachers managed it? I will definitely be looking to work closer to home after my contract ends, just struggling to see to July at the moment!