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!

[Kezzybear]

My parents have mine from 7am and then drop them to nursery/ childminder for 8. Would your mum be prepared to do this? School aged child could be in breakfast club. I thought most places were open till 6?

[Mimishimi]

Nursery and an au-pair to do drop-offs/pickups. You need a spare bedroom though.

[TheDoctrineOfSnatch]

I think you will have to rope your mum in and DP can do it instead of her as much as possible.

My nursery does a breakfast hour but it's twice as much as the other hours.

If you aren't using a CM, how will your other child get to school?

[JanePurdy]

DC1 can be dropped off at breakfast club at 7.30am, & DC2 can be dropped off at nursery at the same time (for an extra £5 a day!). But I think what we are going to do is arrange for an ordinary day of childcare & cobble it together with DP doing what he can, & my mum filling in the gaps around his shifts.

[ImAThrillseekerHoney]

I agree that if you lean on your mum (as little as poss) and use the 7am nursery then it's very tough but doable. The "poor wee mite" brigade should remember that because DH works shifts DC won't actually be there all day every day.

[Softcookie]

If your mum is willing to help in the mornings then I think it's your best bet. You may need to look for a regular "babysitter" in the evenings but I would imagine a student type, as others suggested, would be easier for the late shift.

You will make it work!

You will have days where it'll all be nightmarish but don't let it get to you and don't drop out now- it'll all pay out. And as you very sensibly point out there is absolutely nothing to feel guilty about.

[KeepCalmAndLOLKittens]

Is your DP's mum absolutely aware of the difficulty you're in? I know there's a culture on MN of accusing posters of a sense of entitlement when it comes to GPs and childcare, but she is about to do - what - nothing? Obviously you can't go in with a resentful attitude (this is what I would feel in your position) but could you both clarify for her haw difficult, and how short term this situation is?

Otherwise I'm afraid your situation sounds unworkable and that one or both of you need to get looking for work elsewhere.

[drspouse]

We occasionally use a babysitter to take from home to and from nursery (and once CM when DH was home alone but not back till 8). But I'd say CM as it's temporary.

[MariaJenny]

Live in au pair to work around the before or after school clubs perhaps and take to nursery and collect? Children move into one room or share a room or move into your room? That's very disruptive for a family however.

Our daily nanny who looked after 5 children (our 5) and was the cheapest option could come earlier if we asked her to and paid so that covered the odd day when we needed something early. It's the early mornings which are hard to get cover for. There are a lot of people out there needing work who might want some extra hours at your house - eg a retired person who is up at 6am every day anyway might like to come to your house mind them until taking them to whenever nursery starts.

[pommedeterre]

Someone to do drop off and pick up from nursery for you?

Would your mum consider doing it?

It does sound very complicated and expensive.

[Beastofburden]

Well it is probably worth the investment if the grad scheme leads on to better things, but that ought to mean your mum would be prepared to help just a bit longer to see you through. Is there no way she would reconsider, just for this fixed term contract? If you promise her something fab- a holiday with the money she ves you on childcare, perhaps?

Otherwise, Au pair working round nursery, perhaps.

[sleepdodger]

Do you need long hr because of a commute? Worth looking by work instead?

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

Au Pair. Especially if its only three days a week.