Childcare for 0.6 on a 2 week timetable

[Heirhelp]

Hi, I am looking to return to work part time on a 0.6 timetable but I work in a secondary which has has a two week timetable so I will have varying days each week. How am I going to find childcare to meet my requirements?

When I looked at returning (same situation) the childminders locally said I'd have to pay for the days even if I didn't use them as it was taking up a space abother child could have.

Another one said I'd pay half rates in the holidays to retain the space although another did term time only at slightly higher cost.

It's one (of several) factors I didn't return.

It depends on your area but I'm in South Wales and I know a load of local nurseries are able to deal with differing shift patterns etc without too much problem as long as you can give adequate notice. You need somewhere with a bigger capacity, childminders are unlikely to be able to make it work due to the smaller numbers involved.

I'd give some local nurseries a ring in your shoes and see what they say.

That's more encouraging! The one here didn't but maybe we're not in an area with much call for it. Definitely ring around and ask!!

I have rang one nursery this morning and the DD woke up and they are already full as we live in a very family orientated area.

I am starting to stress over this.

I had to go down to 0.3 in the end and state I needed the same days each week. It was so stressful.

I'm a childminder and I offer shift rotation, it works nicely for me. I do charge slightly more for this but it still works out less than paying for days you won't use.

I know a few who do this as we live near secondary schools and a hospital where being flexible means that we are never empty!

Possibly worth emailing a few to see what they say.

Thanks Glen I will do.

A Nanny with their own child might be quite flexible

I returned as a secondary teacher in September on 0.6. I told them I needed three full days and the same days each week of the two week timetable which they agreed to.

I can't imagine the school with agree to the same days each week as they have not for other staff.

I think you just have to ring/ email every childcare setting you could reasonably reach.

Somebody like a newly registered childminder who wasn't full might do it, or as PP said, a large nursery.

Or, if there is one common day free on both weeks, could you afford to pay for 4 days both weeks? This might be good for you as each week you would have one child free do to work, do house stuff and shopping etc. then have the other 3 days genuinely free.

My nursery offers flexi care, where you can book days a month in advance. My dp work shifts, varying hours and days week to week so this is how we manage childcare for ds2.

I haven't yet found any before or after school care that's willing to be flexible week to week so ds1 is shuffled between various people week to week I still have nobody to collect him this Thursday aaargh!