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Original poster

Starting school in September and my working hours..how did you prepare?

40 replies

krispykreme11 · 14/03/2011 21:44

Hello

Couple of queries that I hope you MNers can help me with and allay my fears?

1/ I work 4 days a week 9-5pm, my commute between work and school will be an hour, I'd like to pick my DD up a couple of times in the week and combine with out of hours club. Have any of you had a similar experience and what hours/ days did you end up doing? Forgive me maths is not my strong point!

2/ With her starting in September, did any of you take leave to help your child settle in?

Starting to get sleepless nights about this as I want to ensure I do my best to help make her experience go as smoothly as possible.

Thanks for your help x

OP posts:

Sinkingfeeling · 15/03/2011 09:25

I have 3 primary-aged dc and work 31 hours over 5 days - 3 days 9-5 and 2 days 9-2. On my short days I collect from school, but I can never take to school, unless I take a half day off work occasionally to come to a school event. I share school pick-up/drop-off with a neighbour and dh, and the dc go to after-school club one day a week. I'm also lucky in only having a 25-min commute to work. Have you checked out after-school clubs and childminders for the school your child will be going to? I think you'll need to ask for reduced working hours if you want to be able to take/collect from school occasionally and also be at home with your toddler one day a week. I worked freelance for the 2 years before my youngest was in full-time school which worked well, but often meant working til midnight.

Fiddledee · 15/03/2011 10:54

You need a childminder or a local nursery/pre-school that does pick-ups from the primary school DC is allocated. Who is going to look after your DC in the school holidays, you must have thought about it. Alternative is a nanny as may be cheaper for two children. Good luck, they don't make it easy for working parents.

Bramshott · 15/03/2011 11:00

Setting aside the nightmare of the first half term settling in . . .

How about working 3 days 9-4 and 2 days 9-2 (or similar)? That way you can be there for school pick-up 2 days a week, and on the other days, collect your DD from childminder / after school club at 5 so she doesn't get too tired?

PorkChopSter · 15/03/2011 11:07

Would you consider taking parental leave for the first half term of random part time hours? Is there a breakfast club?

then what Fiddledee said - what were your plans for covering illness and holidays? A nanny would cover that and for two children be equivalent to nursery fees plus childminder/holiday club.

Also some children, even those used to 8-6 nursery, can get wiped out at first by school. As in, needing a large cooked meal on the table at 4pm and in bed by 6.30pm. Again, nanny would sort that.

Have you checked what the waiting list is like at the afterschool club?

ChrissyHynde · 15/03/2011 11:13

Your DD probably wont start right at the beginning of term, schools tend to stagger the starts so could be mornings, then afternoons the next then mornings plus lunch etc building up to a full day. As a working mum its a nightmare although my nursery could accomodate the different times even through they wern't pre-schoolers (something to do with their insurance and age of child) so ask yours.. As for taking time off work yourself to settle them in I wouldn't bother I've done it in the past and children adapt so quickly that its not been necessary.

HappyAsIAm · 15/03/2011 11:18

It is really difficult to decide how to approach this as a working parent, isn't it? Would you be able to take any of your parental leave?

I am worrying about this too, and DS will be starting in September 2012.

I work 8:30 - 4:30, 3 days a week, and have an hour commute each way. I have been advised that he will do 6 weeks of mornings only, and then start on full days. To be fair, he will probably be knackered with just the monrings!

I see no option other than to maintain my existing childcare (DS is an only child and we have a nanny for the 3 days a week that I work), as neither DH nor I can incporporate dropping him off or collecting him into our working days, even when he is doing full days. The other option I see is to find a childminder, but we are reluctant to do this as DS is so happy with our nanny.

My friend tells me that the other option is to ahve nother baby and be off on maternity leave! Hmm. Worth considering, maybe?!

crw1234 · 15/03/2011 20:10

Depends on the school - our school did three short days and then straight into full time - another one was about 6 weeks of funny times - reall pain - although my friend's childminder was brilliant and did it - but another friend had to take a couple weeks of leave to sort it
if you work 4 days then you can pick her up one day a week -we have found drop off works well -just start a bit later - my DH does one a week and I work from home quite a lot so I do most of the others and I sometimes do an extra pick up
Once you know which school you can find out what they offer re after school and also ask about childminder - there are normally a few who do pick up and I personally prefer it

carryon · 15/03/2011 20:55

DDs school did a few short days and then straight into normal days.She also didnt actually start until the end of September which was a shock. Personally, I would get a childminder sorted as soon as you know where she is going. That way you have it all covered. I am returning to work soon was around for DD and she was very tired for the first half term at least. I will be working when DS starts school in 2012 and will probably get a childminder to help fill in the gaps and offer a more homely environment.Once he is settled I may consdider moning him to the after school club as its obviously cheaper but we will see.

Original poster

krispykreme11 · 15/03/2011 21:42

Thanks so much for these tips people and suggestions of how I can organise my working hours.

Looking at your suggestions I think I'm going to have to investigate a childminder but am also going to look at after school clubs - I never realised they may have waiting lists!?! Do afterschool clubs cover the holidays too?

Final question what is the difference between a nanny and a childminder? Never thought about a nanny but am now looking at all angles!

Happy - as much as I'd love number 3, already dealing with a lively toddler, only just gone back to work too.

Thanks again for everyone's really useful advice, lots to think about now!

OP posts:

Original poster

krispykreme11 · 15/03/2011 21:44

One final question where can I get information regarding finding a nanny?

OP posts:

HappyAsIAm · 16/03/2011 13:04

Have a look in the Childminders, nannies and au pair forum.

A nanny looks after your child/ren in your own home and is employed by you as an employee. A childminder is self employed and looks after your child (and other children usually, sometimes inclding her own) in her own home.

Nannies can work solely for you, or they can be nanny-shares (where you and another family share a nanny between you, and the children are looked after your home or the other family's home depending on what you decide).

Nannies can sometimes bring their own child/ren with them (called Nanny With Own Child - NWOC) and look after the children in your home. This usually attracts a lower salary. +

HappyAsIAm · 16/03/2011 13:06

You can advertise for a nanny eg on something like gumtree or a local forum. Or you can use a nanny agency (but you will then pay a fee to them which can be pricey). We got our first nanny through an agency but the second one through word of mouth.

crw1234 · 16/03/2011 15:47

Hi - childminder will be in general cheaper than a nanny - unless perhaps you found a share for 4 days for your younger one and she did the school pick ups as well
the after school club at my DS1 does holiday club as well

Original poster

krispykreme11 · 16/03/2011 21:56

Thanks for all the suggestions, going to look into the different options

OP posts:

candleshoe · 17/03/2011 11:50

Illegal childminders are even cheaper and there are lots of nice mums who do it unofficially - ask at the school gates. The paperwork involved now if you are properly registered is a total nightmare!

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