NEW JOB - with call out, Childcare cost question

me_and_me_monkeys

I have just retrained to my DREAM job - a doula. I am so pleased and hopefully will mean that OH can cut his hours a bit when I have finished training and maybe even he could come off his call out. (in case someone doesnt know a doula is a professional birth partner)

This means that when I have a birth booked I am on call 24/7 for 4 weeks (2weeks before and 2 weeks after the EDD)

We have 2 toddlers at playgroup 1 has his 5 sessions paid and the other one we pay for 3 sessions which is £27 a weekAs I would rather keep the children settled if I get called I have asked playgroup if they would allow them to stay for the rest of the day or if its not a day they are due to go - go. They often have the space and obviously they will not go over their ratio, (I also appriciate that taking 2 kids in an emergancy is a lot).

They seem OK about this but are speaking to the owner to see if a retainer is required. What do you think would be reasonable. I am not asking them to hold places open its more of a case if they have space during the weeks I have told them I am on call and I need to use them (say another child is sick etc) I can use the space. I will be paying for the place when I use it of course (£3 an hour per child) so in theory they will be getting 2 payments (one from the child who is sick and one from me). What do you think would be a reasonable retainer charge if anything at all. To start with I will only be earning £150 for a birth package however long the birth is so childcare costs could be a little tight if they ask for a large retainer
many thanks

mummytofour

Hmmmm,
I have no idea! What type of playgroup is it? is it like a day nursery that is open all day? I am just thinking who will pick little ones up once you have been called out and the nursery have finished? Will it be dh? will he be around to do this?
I think that the play group are being tight asking for extra money, its simple if they have teh space that day they shoudl allow u to use it IMHO of course you owuld pay for this.
My day nursery lets us use it add-hock for just the extra childcare charge.

What if the play group have no space?
Maybe a childminder who provides emergancey cover would be better?

me_and_me_monkeys

hi thanks for your reply its open 9.15 - 3.15If i'm not back in time I have family/friends who would pick them up and my other son from school - its just I feel I'm putting less on family and friends if playgroup is the 1st option IYSWIM

If they havn't space I have a list of 4 friends who have said they could take them at short notice, plus my mum could come and get them if needed.its really complicated but I so want to do this job.I will be speaking to a few local childminders (friends) to see if they could take them if needed.

inkie

When I worked as a Community Midwife (with call out responsibilites to deliver our own ladies) that it was unfeasible to use conventional childcare, for the reasons that you elude to i.e. the unpredictable nature of childbirth. I found that this type of work was incompatible with the childcare needs of my 2 youngsters (OH working shifts and call-out too). As it was such a nightmare, and loads of ifs and buts, I decided that I would go back in the unit, with the predictable shift patterns.
Hope you get something sorted!

me_and_me_monkeys

Inkie, you are so right, I have planned what ifs for school hols (easy) but school time its a lot more difficult. I have a lot of friends who could take the little monkeys after playgroup and there is always after school club for the bigger monkey.

If worst comes to worst I have a mate who is willing to sleep on the couch for a couple of nights. OH work can be quite flexible if needs be
I'll see how my plan looks after I've had chance to ponder on it. But it is great to get others opinions

me_and_me_monkeys

just an update. Playgroup has agreed that I do not need to pay a retainer on the following conditions I have to inform them as soon as I have a confirmed booking of the potential 'on call' dates. I will text the playgroup leader as soon as I get the call telling me that I have to go. That I can guarantee that they will not be picked up later than 3.15 That when I inform them that I am 'on call' I have to pay 1 days care for both in advance so that any time I require is already paid for - I will get back any money owing once I confirm I am no longer on call I think thats quite fair. They have known me for 6 years as the oldest monkey went there as well. many thanks to all