Childcare for a job where hours fluctuate?

JoJoB

Need some advice from working mums who have been in this situation!
Basically I have seen a really interesting job I am going to apply for. Only problem is that it is a zero hours contract - I will be informed the previous week what hours I have for the following week.
My husband works 2-3 days a week so he will be able to look after our daughter (3 in April) a couple of days a week, but his hours change every semester so the days he is available for childcare might change.
A couple of friends would be willing to help out in an emergency, but I don't want to impose too much.

Understandably, childminders and nurseries want to have children in particular fixed timeslots that don't vary much from week to week. This is what I assume anyway. So if I get this job what would my childcare options be? Is it a matter of ringing round childminders to see if any are prepared to accept such an ad-hoc basis? Or are there creches which don't mind this sort of arrangement?

ellay864

Will your hours be fixed within certain time limits eg x hours per week between 8am and 6pm each day? If so, you could probably find a nursery that could accommodate that as long as they have enough space each day to allow your child to go in, and you may have to pay more to cover it
If the hours could literally be anything and include early morning or late evening cover when nurseries are shut and your husband might be at work himself then maybe you need to consider a minder/au pair with either an unsocial hours or live-in arrangement. Though I guess that'll cost more if they wouldnt always be needed.
If you don't have family around, and don't think it's a viable long-term option to use friends, and your husband's jobs make it hard for him to guarantee that support then you probably will have to re-evaluate your job options (yours and your husbands). Unless your salaries will cover what is likely to be quite a high cost of childcare if you can find somewhere able to be so flexible.
Good luck!

ailuro2

We have a part time childminder, because husband is a shift worker. They are out there, try phining a few, as although the first one might not have spaces or want to do part time they might give you the name of someone who does.

Our CM does part time because the money is enough for her, and she doesn't really want a house full of kids all day long ( she already has 3 kids of her own, so is pretty busy already)

JoJoB

Thanks for the info - I guess that where the (potential) problem would lie is that I could literally have no hours one week, 5 the next, 2 the next, 20 the next! The job would involve taking tour groups round a gallery so would be dependent on bookings (presumably known fairly in advance though).

I have just got a saturday job in a cafe - that's ok as hubby can look after her. It's just that this new job would be such a change from the usual mcJob stuff round here (I live in very economically deprived area), that I would really like to pursue it (as more 9-5 posts might come up as daughter gets older and goes to school).

Job would start in April and DD would get her free nursery hours in September, so I suppose that's only a few months to juggle things and call in a few favours.

Anyway - I am probably thinking too far ahead, haven't even got an interview yet lol!

chocdonuty

I work in retail, I was told at the interview that the rota would been done 2 weeks in advance but in reality they are often not ready until less than a week before i'm due on shift!
I looked around and have found a good afterschool/holiday club that as long as they have space I can book her in . So far I haven't had a problem. There are flexible childcare places available you may just have to look around a bit.

laurenjs88

an au-pair might be a good idea, its around £55 a week and aslong as they dont work 7 days a week and get the oppurtunity to go to english classes its a very viable option for most. When the business takes off we'll be getting an au-pair, and will have the girls in nursery when the english classes are on.

JoJoB

Thanks, but I don't have the space to house an au pair sadly. Won't give up on the idea of some sort of flexible arrangement though!

onlyroz

You might find a childminder who can be flexible. The childminder who collects my son from school could be flexible because she's nowhere near "at capacity" and I think she prefers it that way.