Going back to work as soon as possible?

[JenJen84]

Hello there
I have been afforded the dubious pleasure of not being in work the entire way through my pregnancy, while this has been nice enough I now find myself bored, unfulfilled and also missing the freedom of my own money.
I am looking forward to the prospect of going back to work as soon as possible. Can anyone tell me roughly when this is likely to be 2/3months? And also, regarding nurseries, i am noticing it's really hard to find ones that take younger children - how do I find the ones that will?
I am lucky in the fact I don't need to work in order to keep a roof over my head, or pay the bills but I do need to work for my own mental health, my self esteem and ergo the health and welfare of baby :) people might think I am mad, but a happy mum = a happy baby and that's what Im striving for.
Any help/advice would be gratefully received!!
JJ

I think you are looking at pre-schools rather than privater day nurseries. The latter make money from working parents so tend to take babies from 3 mths if not earlier. They do get booked up though, and are not good at being flexible with days. If you need more flexible childcare, a childminder or nanny may be better for you.

I mean most babies start at 9-12mo but the nurseries here all take 3mo babies too.

If you both work unpredictable shifts then a childminder would probably work out better for you than a nursery. Nursery hours don't tend to be very flexible and you could well end up paying for a full-time place Monday-Friday just to ensure availability.

Iggly -my bills are paid for me - my hobby money, clothes, cosmetics, going-out, seeing friends, petrol is not.
There's only so long you can "exist" without being able to enjoy life! I don't need to work in order to live, I want to work in order to enjoy life.

WIPSG - I left work before I knew I was pregnant, so no maternity pay and no maternity allowance because i cannot produce slips.

Ah ok, I thought it was little more than a case of booking them in a week before and then taking them!

I will look into childminders then, though I hope to get away with mostly grandparents help as we have three very doting people! Where's the best place to find quality childminders?

Oh no, with nurseries, you are committed to a set amount of sessions. The sessions are always morning or afternoon. (Say 8-1 and 1-6). Mine needs a month's notice to change days. Even with childminders, it's not as flexible as you want unless you are prepared to pay for hours you don't use. They have a certain child:adult ratio they have to keep, and they need to plan what hours you might want to use, so they can take business from other parents. A friend works shift and basically have to pay full day for care for 5 days a week even though she doesn't start work till 10am. (She has checked with childminders and no one will take a child unless it's either half day or full day). But we are in the SE and many mums sign up for nurseries after the first scan. The waiting lists are year long, so they haven't got a problem filling spaces.

Your parents will be the only one who'll be able to provide one week notice care.

Your council should have a list of registered nurseries and childminders in your area, btw.

That's a shame, i didn't want her to have to go to nursery when she didnt have to (if that makes sense) but if that is the way it works I guess she'll have to go the full week. I suppose it allows us time to get things done at home etc for her home time.

You don't have to attend all the sessions you pay for. It's not school. My friend only puts her LO into the nursery when she works. She prefers it over childminders because you have more flexible drop off time during their opening hours. The childminders say they can't guarantee they'll be at home between 9-10am. She and her DH can always pick up and drop off between 8 to 6. On the other hand, childminders will be able to accomodate for longer hours.

I also take DD out of nursery for holidays. But I still pay the monthly fee even when I go on a 2 week summer holiday, iyswim.

I think financially it would be mad to pay for something then not use it, for us anyway. I guess it gives us a nice degree of flexibility as we have a lot of other things to do that TBF aren't the easiest with baby in tow, making for nicer baby time when she gets home :)