have no choice to return but what pattern in your opinion would be better for my children...

[helsi]

they will go to childminder hopefully if I can find one but out of the (possible) 24 hours per week I will be doing shall I do - 3 full days at 8hrs? or 4 days of 6 hours or 5 days of 4.8 hours?

this is all theorectical at the moment but just want to gauge opinions.

many thanks

helsi, tbh you may think you could work eves and weekends to 'top up' as such. However this means you will effectively be doing 2 jobs. One being a SAHM with all it's responsibilities, the other a working person during free 'family' time. Even though childcare will eat up a chunk of your earnings (You may get tax credits to help) You will still be better off working during the daytime, and leaving some 'family' time to enjoy together. Unless yu are hugely organised and motivated you will not be able to earn decent money eves and weekends without it encroaching on family life. Doing a daytime job will be much better for you and your sanity. Who wants to be up all hours to finish work that has to be done once the kids are in bed. That time is for slobbing out and chilling with yor DH :)

I was intending on going back to work for 4 days but after checking out childcare myself I also found that over half my salary was paying for this. So I have decided to stay at home during the week to look after my child and work weekends/eve. At least you earn what you work that way!

helsi don't forget that your 3.5 yo will be eligible for the nursery grant. I used this to get 5 sessions at nursery for DS during the 3 days I worked. I think it saved me about £1200 a year in childcare costs.

stocktoniangal I am in exactly the same boat. I have phoned HR and my salary for returning part time will end up paying more out in childcare costs that I am left with. I do not agree with this and what I am left with I can earn doing evening work and other bits and pieces. It will be worth the sacrifice.
thanks for all your opinions - still not clear what I will do yet but I have something to think about.

I used to do 3 full days, but now do 22 hours over 5 days - 2 days till 4.30, 1 till 2.30, and 2 till 12.30. This is partly because of wanting DD to go to pre-school rather than nursery 2 mornings, but also, although I don't like working 5 days as much, I think this way is better for her as she doesn't have so many really long days in nursery. That said, I am self-employed to working part of every day is quite efficient for me.