Childcare on Maternity Leave - Question..??

Shortie

Hi all

sorry if I ramble here, but I'm pooped but am adamant to post this question as I've been meaning to for a while now and keep getting side tracked...

I'm wondering what other MSE'ers have done in the past about paid childcare arrangements while they've been on Maternity leave with a second child?

Basically my set up is this:

I already have a 4 year old DS and am now 30 weeks pregnant. DS currently goes to my Mum's one day a week and paid childcare 4 days a week as OH and I both work full time.

I am going to be off on maternity leave from at least 21st Aug to the New Year and am wondering what to do about the paid childcare we already have in place and what others have done in the past / what's normal?

While I'm off, I see no point in paying for paid childcare to take DS to school (he'll be at school fulltime this September) and a huge bit of me is looking forward to a chance to get more involved in his daily routine too. BUT we have a very good childminder and I don't want to lose her during the time I have off.

The little miss 'guilt trip' that I always seem to be doesn't want to 'take advantage' of her good and understanding nature that she has by asking her if we can have the 4/5 months 'off' so we don't pay her, and expect her to keep my DS's place open PLUS have a space for an under 1 when I go back to work. However, money will be very tight for us when I'm off as I'm the higher wage earner and only get a portion of my maternity leave at full pay and we're going to have to severly cut costs to make ends meet the last few months of my time off. The £350-ish a month we pay her would come in extremely handy

Before I approach my childminder, I was hoping others could let me know what they've done in the past / what might be the 'standard' thing to do etc. If we need to contine paying her, so be it as (I think) she's worth keeping

I don't want to put her in an awkward postion by asking her if she'd do this for us but maybe this is a pretty usual thing to happen when parents are off on Maternity leave with a second one?

As I say, sorry for the rambling

Counting_Pennies_2

How about asking to pay a retainer to keep the place open until the new year. That is likely to be less than paying for each day.

However, if she is unwilling to do so, I don't see you have any other option.

Good childcare is really hard to find, and you only talk about a few months, so I would tighten your belt a little further and continue to pay. It doesn't mean your little one would have to go there each day, you can still be involved, but that payment might be worthwhile in the long run.

Also take into account the exhaustion you are likely to go through, I am very reliably informed 2nd child isn't always as easy as 1st, you have more demands on your time, something I will be discovering a month after you when mine arrives in September, so you might appreciate the additional help from the childminder.

Good luck

mad_bad_spender

I think that Counting_Pennies is right, you should ask to pay a retainer to keep the place open. I would also be inclined to say to keep sending your DS maybe for one day a week just so that the familiarity is there and you and the baby will also benefit from some time together.

looneyleo

Best thing to do would be to talk this all through with your childminder. no doubt she will be running the scenarious through her own mind anyway and may have an offer to make for you. As a mum of two myself, I would definately try to keep you son in contact with his childcare for at least one day per week (or you could maybe do a few hours a day for example). That way your son keeps continuity and you get a break to have time resting and then with baby when it arrives. the other good thing will be that your newborn will know your childminder from day one and become familiar with the surroundings which will make it easier when you do return to work.

Childcare is a never ending nightmare for me and I just can't wait to get them both in full time school! (I juggle with mum, MIL and OH for my childcare which is very complicated indeed at times!!!) Good luck with new baby and hope it all works out for you.

BernadetteN

I think it is going to depend very much on how busy the childminder is. If she is very busy, she may not be able to give you any guarantee that a place will be available. She may also have no space for an under 1 year old once your baby arrives as childminders are only allowed more than one under 1 in exceptional circumstances.