Option of 4 school days or 3 full days

[whatworkhours]

What do you think is a more practical work pattern? I have a 5 year old at school and a baby who will be going to childminder when i go back to work in the summer. My contract is 60% full time hours so approx 22/23 hours per week.

Option 1: 9-3pm x 4 days per week (meaning could do school drop off/pick up every day)

Option 2: 9-5pm x 3 days per week (would need to arrange after school care for older child x 2/week, grandparents could probably pick up one day).

I would be mainly WFH but would probably have to show willing to go to office a few times per month if needed (1 hour drive).

My boss is fairly relaxed as long as I get the work done, so no nitpicking about exact start and finish times/lunch breaks etc. Childminder has availability.

I haven't done the sums yet, but probably not much difference by the time we pay for after school care. I guess there's school holidays to consider too.
Work wise it's better to be around 4 rather than 3 days as inevitably would end up checking work emails on days off.

I used to do 3 days and it was a long day for my first child by the time we got gone from childminder it was 615/630 and she was ratty, however wouldn't have the commute now as WFH.

Any thoughts ? thanks

I also do 4 school days and 3 full days in the holidays unless I take annual leave. I hugely prefer this as then dc is not in wrap around care and is able to do after school playdates and activity clubs. However I don't have a younger child to consider as well.

You also have to consider how flexible your childcare can be. If you can send your older child to after school club at school on an ad hoc basis (which I could when my kids were in primary) then it covers you for days when you stay late/your parents are on holiday etc.

If it's less flexible then maybe it makes sense doing longer days.

I think if you work 3 days though, you're much more likely to work on your days off

I would absolutely do 3 longer days. It will make a huge difference in the holidays, and if they’re ill, you only have 3 days to cover, not 4. And you can focus on work on the 3 days, and not be worried about dashing off early when everyone else is still doing work. And you’d be constantly switching from work mode to home mode and back. With longer days you can get your head down, and without the commute it’s a lot less long for your children.

Can your older one also go to the same childminder? This is what we did and it was brilliant.

But you say you’ve already tried the 3 days and found it hard work. So not sure for you!