I need childcare 7am - 6.30pm

[JanePurdy]

Can't find childcare for the hours I need, 7am-6.30pm. Nurseries are 7.30am-6pm, before/after school club is 7.30am-5.45pm. Haven't found a childminder I would be happy with who does longer hours either. Just impossible!

[waddleandtoddle]

Ask to change your hours at work? You should
Be able to ask HR as a flexible working contract.

[PandaNot]

Find a nursery near work? I know your dc would have to endure the commute with you then but it would solve the problem.

[OiMissus]

Go on Childcare.co.uk. That's how I found my childminder (or she found me) for my 6:45 - 6pm needs. Good luck.

[youbethemummylion]

Im assuming this fixed term job pays very well because to be honest I think I would leave and find a job closer to home even if it didnt pay as much.

[HSMMaCM]

How about a nursery or CM near work, so you need less hours?

[FairyPenguin]

I know at our nursery, some of the nursery workers had separate arrangements with parents to take the children home at the end of their shift and were then paid for babysitting until the parents finished work. Seemed very popular. Maybe one of your local nurseries will have that option?

[Bonsoir]

Your logistics sound impossible to me.

[bakingaddict]

If your mum is local could she come around for 7am when you leave for work and take your DC to whichever nursery or child-minder you can find with a more usual 7.30 - 8.00am start?

[Impatientismymiddlename]

Have you considered moving house to be nearer to your place of work? 7.00am - 6.30pm is a very long day for a young child at nursery.

[JanePurdy]

Yes impatient I have considered it, however my contract ends in 18m & I have a DC in school(Y1), while DP has a 3 year contract where we live.

It is a long day & I wouldn't choose it but choices are limited. DC2 has had 3 years of being cared for at home by me (2 yrs full time) & DP/my mum (I year half the week each). I am not going to feel guilty about 3 long days a week in childcare at 3 yrs old for a year at most.

Thanks for some great ideas on this thread.

[JanePurdy]

Alternatively I can quit work we can't live on my full time income but we could live on DP's & he could go full time. Goddamnit.

[noblegiraffe]

The job doesn't sound worth the hassle for the pay you say you will be taking home. A 3 hour commute and most of your money on childcare isn't going to improve your quality of life as a family.

[JanePurdy]

Yeah. It's a graduate scheme so entry level salary but career building opportunities.

[LIZS]

Can you really not find similar closer to home ? If not is this a realistic career choice ?

[chesterberry]

When I was at university I had a job taking and dropping off two children at school two days a week which was advertised through the university. I arrived at the house at 7:45 and gave them breakfast etc before taking them to school. I then picked them up from school and stayed with them until one of the parents returned home. Paid at babysitting rates and as I was training to be a teacher I was CRB checked etc. Perhaps something similar might be possible for your children where you just find someone (or a couple of people) to take your children to/from school and nursery for the hours that aren't offered.

[JanePurdy]

Feel like I'm drip feeding but I applied to a national grad scheme that local organisations opt into. Unfortunately in my year nobody closer to home opted in so I ended up with a placement 1.5hrs away. I could have refused it obviously but I wanted to try.

[nonameisgoodname]

I too did this sort of job whilst at uni. Arrive at 730, take children to school/nursery then collect them in the afternoon. They did after school club/later at nursery on the days I had later lectures but we were always home by six so could have a bit of down time then. I also had them during the holidays.

[JanePurdy]

The point is, it's worked this far because DP has had fixed hours & my mum has done my childcare anyway. However his hours will be variable & my mum wants to stop. I need to find a solution, preferably that doesn't involve me quitting but also doesn't cost too much?! Or I need to get knocked up

[Impatientismymiddlename]

Get a nanny then as at least you child will be at home and not in a nursery for 11 hours.

[Blu]

It sounds a bad moment for you to come out of the job market / progression.

Could your DP postpone the awkwardly timed shift thing? Could your mum delay her retirement just until the difficult bit is over? or go into 50% retirement for that period and pick up a smaller percentage of the childcare?

[hazelnutlatte]

I have a long commute too, and a dh who works away so can't help with childcare. The only solution I found was to put in a flexible working request to work fewer hours, so I work 7 hour days rather than 8 hours, this allows me to use a childminder from 8-6. Is that a possible solution for you?

[bigkidsdidit]

Nursery plus ask your mum to do 3-7.30pm?

[JanePurdy]

impatient as I posted upthread our monthly take home is £2500. So nope to nanny.

[Impatientismymiddlename]

A live in au pair would be cheaper than a nursery if you have the space. Or ask if you can work your hours over 4 days instead of 3?