When to discuss return to work

[Beansprout30]

I'm currently on maternity leave and plan to return beginning of May after taking 9 months. I plan to request less hours for when I return, just wondering how soon others discussed their return to work with managers and submitted flexible working request?

Would early Jan be too short notice?

I don't know if all time scales for all companies are the same. If I was to return before the full year I had to give 2 months notice.
I've sorted mine already, my official return is in May, but I'm using some leave till the start of June. My work only have set part time hours, I only wanted to drop 1 or 2 hrs. Now I can't I'm not needing any contract changes.

Remember you will need to sort out childcare based on your agreed hours. So you may need to get it agreed with your employer quite early so you can then talk to childcare providers about what you need.

I returned to work in early Dec and spoke to my employer in June/July so I knew my hours in time to sort childcare.

I'm due to return mid-January and approached my boss in August. It was slightly different this time, as I was already on a part-time contract, but I would say it's better to sort it sooner rather than later. You'll need to let childcare providers know which days and hours you'll need, and they often have waiting lists.

Thanks all I shall get the ball rolling sooner rather than later. Luckily I've already got a nursery place booked the only change I'll need to make it to drop a day if work agree my hours