3 long days or 4 short days?

[BobMortimersTrout]

Looking for your experiences of part time working and managing with childcare.

I've been invited to apply for a new job in my org at the next grade up which is 0.6. I currently work 0.8 over 4 days, and there's flexibility over how I could spread my hours.

My question is - what's better - do 4 short days or 3 long days? At the moment I muddle through with juggling work and childcare pickups, the evenings feel like such a rush. DS is 17 months, he's at the childminder 8-5, and as soon as he's home it's dinner-bath-bed, repeat the next day. I know this is hypothetical as I haven't got the job yet, but would it be better to have that same rush three days a week and have an extra day at home with DS (with reduced childcare costs), or have more relaxed afternoon/evenings for 4 days? DS adores his childminder, and we're lucky to be able to afford to keep him in for 4 days if we chose to (with a small reduction in hours and therefore cost).

Both have their pros and cons - what's your experience?

For me the main considerations would be

• how far is your commute? If it's quite long, I'd suggest you don't want to do it 4 days a week.
• is it the sort of job, where you'll end up having to do at least minimal (check emails) work at home on the days you're not working just to keep up to speed? If so, 4 days would reduce/eliminate this.
• do you value seeing DC more often for shorter periods of time, or would you prefer whole days with them?
• how old is DC? If nearly school age, the short days would tend to work better with school hours/minimise need for wraparound

Would you finish on time if it's "short" days? You're at risk of working 4 long days.

I’ve been full time a few years as my kids are teens now but I tried 3 long days and 4 short days when I was part time (for 11 years) and I definitely preferred 3 long days - it saved on childcare, the commute, I got an extra day with the kids (beneficial for school holidays) etc. Working 4 shorter days made me feel like I was working full days each day as I had to rush around all the time!

I used a childminder for the kids those 3 days after school (primary school did a breakfast club for £2 they used to go to).

I’ve worked 4 days over 5, for years and had shorter days to pick up kids from school.
Then in half terms, they’ve let me swap to 3 long days so I’ve had two days off with kids.
It’s worked really well.
3 long days means you will likely be shattered by day 4 anyway, so it won’t be quality time it could be moping/ cleaning/ getting back on your feet day.

I switched from 3 full days to 4 short days this summer and it works so much better for the children, and work wise feels like I'm not missing so much.

I would think 3 long days before school age then switch to 4 short days once they start school.

However if you did 3 long days it's less disruptive if you need for example to look after an ill child. Less work days to miss/get covered.

@converseandjeans

I would think 3 long days before school age then switch to 4 short days once they start school.

However if you did 3 long days it's less disruptive if you need for example to look after an ill child. Less work days to miss/get covered.

This is good advice. For me it would depend on your commute!

Would depend on the job role as well. Would you have lots of short deadlines so working four days it’s less stressful and visible from a career point of view. But working 3d is lovely in having two days off midweek to get stuff done and spend extra time with children not in school yet.

Also how flexible are those days. Young children are frequently off school / childcare sick, it’s easier to cover if you can move your working day to make up leave rather than use up annual leave. It’s easier/cheaper in school holidays to cover 3d holiday club than 4d.