Advice about going back to work with 2 DCs needed

[Bradyboo]

I went back to work after having DC1 for 7mths and was thankfully made redundant. Although I was on an excellent salary we were paying a nanny a fortune to have DC due to the hrs I was working. After 2 and a half years of staying at home, I must go back to work as DH's business is going very badly and we deseperatly need the money. However DC2 is 4mths old.
I need some advice on what childcare works best for MNs with 2DCs. DC1 is at pre school in the afternoons locally 4 days a week. Do you have a childminded/ nannyshare? I want the DCs to be together.
Financially did it make a positive difference to your family after tax and childcare costs? If you don't mind me asking, what sort of salary were you able to go back to work on and made a difference.
Did you ever think that people tutted at you when you ran out of the office on the dot of 6pm (I worked in The City were you're encouraged to stay late and experienced this when I went back after DC1)
Thank you in advance x

Hi - does DD1 start school in September -that would make a difference - costs for child care differ quite a bit depending on area - but I think childminder probably cheaper than nanny - although most childminder would charge while child was in pre school as they can't fill the place so you would need to bear than in mind - however you would need a childminder with 2 spaces who also picked up from current preschool and then ideally I gues whatever school DC1 is going to -that may be tricky to find at fairly short notice -
so nanny or nanny share might be easier to sort
I have childminder for my 2 - but different ones - long story
and depend entirly on sector/organisation about leaving early - some places everyone leaves on time - some they don't

Hi, I have 2DC - 8mth and 3.2yr old and have just gone back to work. It's a bit of a Catch-22 trying to find a job that will pay enough for childcare but doesn't require you to work all hours.
Our local preschool has a nursery attached and offers wraparound care, so for 2 days a week both DC go there. Then we have a nanny for the other 3 days. This offers a bit of flexibility with my job - on nursery days, I have to leave the office at 5pm dead to get back in time to pick up the DC but on nanny days, I can work later if necessary.
This combination seems to work for the DC (though I've only been back at work for a month so time will tell!) as DD1 gets to see her preschool friends and I can make use of the 15 hours funding, and she can pop in to see DD2 whenever she likes on the nursery days, and then they get to play together and still go to ballet classes/playgroups etc with our nanny.

Financially it's giving us a little bit extra each month, but tbh most of my wages after tax go on childcare. But that little bit extra cash is making us feel a little more secure. We're not in London or SE so the salary I've gone back to isn't great, but then again our childcare costs are a lot lower here.
Bit of an essay, sorry!

Gosh - it's such a mine field!Think I either need to win the lottery (proving very tricky) or persuade my mum to emigrate (also proving difficult!) Thank you for giving me food for thought though x

Regarding leaving on the dot - there's no choice you just do it. Depends hugely on the environment you're in - the City is notoriously bad for it (not an area I am familiar with) and I gather that's why so few women stay there once they have children. My office are more lenient but yes I still feel the 'looks' when I dash off, well I have no choice I need to go, I've done a full day's work (and still have evening routine to go), you just get on with it.

And 6pm seems late - you're likely to have to leave the office earlier given commuting time (even if close by), getting a chance to talk with childcare provider, and just spending a bit of time with your DC before bedtime - plus it's the witching hour by then and you'll have a tired crabby little one on your hands.