Complicated childcare situation - can you give me some advice?

[PhDMumof1]

I am going back to work Thurs & Fri, on a long commute to London. I need to leave the house at 6.30am every morning and will be back at 8.00pm. DH's hours are even longer. I will be paid £280 pw pre-tax.

Currently, DS (2 1/2) is in a very nice nursery from 8.30am to 2.30pm in nearby town (minimal public transport links), which costs £22 per session. He is there on a Thurs & Fri.

We currently have a very nice nanny who is starting a degree course in March. She is paid £8 ph and has been quite flexible with the drop offs etc, eg she does not require payment during the day when he is there. However, she is not sure yet (altho very keen) if she can carry on once she starts her course, as she will need to come to our's at 7.15am, drop off at nursery, then somehow be able to pick him up at 2.30pm & stay at our's until 8pm. As she is doing nursing, sometimes she will be able to help & other times not.

Currently we don't want anyone live-in, as space is quite tight. We think we need back-up or full-time help from someone who drives but that means ditching the current nanny, who is great & needs the money ... but I am very concerned that there are a few issues:

1. What if current nanny can't make it one day at short notice?
2. What if DS is ill and is sent home early from nursery?
3. Should I drop nursery to make it a more attractive job over 2 days for a good nanny, with a car?? Or should I just stick with what I know and cobble things together?

NB I will be on mat leave from late July, so only an issue between mid March and late July.

not sure if this is of help - but most nursing courses are really flexible nowadays and having been there know what its like. most unis work on a two day lecture, 3 day placement approach but obviously placement days are very negotiable as care works 24/7 and they always like extra hands at the weekend and students must work with mentors. if your current nanny wants to stay then she'll work out if she can do it. unis will already have preliminary timetables in place - though they may not be willing to share these as they discourage paid work whilst studying.

though personally, being in a similiar situation had children minded for days at work and they go to nursery/playgroup when me or dh are home - we both work longer hrs over 4days and have one day with kids at home. we too commute but only one hour into oxford, go in two cars, one goes in early while other drops off kids and vice versa on evening. although tiring - it worked well and meant weekends were family time.

very few children fall sick, just like that, so i'm sure you'd know if they were ill and not send them and stay at home, assuming you can - am very lucky and get paid carers leave for sickness rather than wasting annual leave.

info on nursing v useful. current nanny doesn't really know what the deal is yet; I am just thinking ahead and getting anxious!

on the split between nursery & home care, this is what I would like to go for to but nursery very inflexible on notice, they need a whole term as they run on school term dates. I also thought that this would give us fallback option in case we have to get au pair or something.

Point about incl info on salary is to show to myself that I will be on breakeven at best on return to work ...!!