Urgent help needed re: childcare

poppyscorner

Hi All,

I am returning to work this week following maternity leave and 4 weeks annual leave my MIL was supposed to be watching our children for me I have reduced my hours to part time two days a week but my problem is these aren't set days for example this week I am working thurday and saturday thursday I require childcare and saturday I dont whereas next week I am working wednesday and thursday and require it both of these days are there any solutions for someone like me my MIl knew I was going back to work and has made plans to go to Leeds this week so has said she won't do it tbh I think I need a childcare solution as this is very stressful DS1 is coming to the end of nursery and starts reception in September but there are the summer hols to think about he is 4 1/2 yrs and our baby is 18wks old DS1 went to our local nursery which would only offer set days he loved it there but cost wise I don't think it was a great idea would a childminder be different because at this rate I am going to have to organise 5 days a week childcare just on the off chance I may be working and as I will be claiming help towards it from TC it seems a waste of their money aswell. And as I have never used a childminder before I don't have a clue what I am looking for or what to ask them etc etc how can you tell between a good one and a bad one.

Any advice greatly appreciated

Poppy x

rev229

All childminders now have an ofsted inspection so you can ask o see it when you go to visit, this also tells you areas of concern if any any any complaints she may have recieced. If you contact you local social services they should have a list of childminders in your area, I think some areas also have online lists. Most childminders are flexable so this would be more suited to your needs. I had a fantastic child minder for my kids when I worked shifts, but that was a few years ago. Obviously you will need to speak to the chidminder on the phone first about availability, but you will then need to go and see her at her home. This is good as you can get a feeling of how she cares for the children. You have a right to ask questions you feel appropriate ie Safety, first aid , feeding outings etc and you could ask if her other parents could give a referance to you just so you know how they feel about her. Watch how she interacts with the children and ask how she disciplines children. She may ask you to sign a contract but make sure you are happy with how you kids are cared for. Just dont't choose someone who can have the kids asap. Choose someone you are really happy with and you feel the kids may be happy with. Another option you may want to consider is a nanny share where families share a nanny. Why won't your employer give you set days as most employers are suppose to be family friendly? Mind you I gave up work because my family friendly employer (nhs) were not family friendly at all!! Good luck I am sure some childminders may answer your post with some more usefull info.

lifeisgood

Childminders usually are allowed a maximum number of under 5s, so you would be lucky to find one who has 2 vacancies who would be willing to keep the places open for just 1 or 2 days pay a week. A childminder with a good reputation wouldn't need to do this. Though some may have vacancies during the summer holidays.

How much notice do you have of your working days? If it is only very short notice, your MIL can't be expected to put her whole week on hold for you. If you know a few weeks in advance, then it would be easier for her. If your employer can't give you the notice you want, then maybe you should look around for a new job.

flea72

in your situation unless you are prepared to pay for full-time care, then you are unlikely to be able to find childcare that will suit your hours.

as a note, where TC are concerned you can only claim for childcare during the hours you work, so if you are having to pay for f/t childcare, they will only pay towards cover for the actual numbers of days you work - ie 2 days worth, not the full 5 days you are paying out

Flea

poppyscorner

My job is also in the NHS and although they are supposed to be family friendly I cannot stipulate my working hours to them I have worked hard at building my career with them and am at present an assistant manager working towards becoming a manager in my own right this brings in a fair bit of money for me tbh better than I would get working part time elsewhere I don't expect my MIL to drop everything to look after our children and I can give her my shifts at least four weeks in advance my point about her is that I was initially considering childcare and she said she would watch the baby since I am only going to be working two days a week she didnt have to do it and I appreciated the gesture so if I come accross as ungrateful I'm not honest but we have had a few issues over the last few weeks basically to do with me not doing as she wants she has said not very nice things to me and I havent said a thing back and the cynic side of me thinks she may well have done this on purpose to cause problems (it wouldn't be the first time) there is also the fact that she doesnt believe I should work she never did and indeed never has all of her life my place is at home putting her sons tea down to him when he returns from work (her daughter does this for her man and her other son dumped his girl because she wouldn't) my hubby does not expect this of me but she does she thinks my life should be my children and I should never leave their sides and if that means never having any money etc etc then so be it. I think differently I love my kids dearly but I also need my employment it keeps me sane.

flea72 thanks for that bit info about what TC will and will not pay for I hadn't realised that was the case and it certainly changes things I think I need to find a new job.

Thanks for all replies sorry if I have rambled during this post but feeling quite stressed about it and just wanted to give a bit of background

Fruity1

Does your trust have a creche/nursery or a local hospital have one? I work in the NHS and have found them to be the most accomodating for those who work shifts that vary from week to week.

poppyscorner

Fruity1 wrote: »

Does your trust have a creche/nursery or a local hospital have one? I work in the NHS and have found them to be the most accomodating for those who work shifts that vary from week to week.

They probably do somewhere but I work out in the community homes and travel 45 mins to get there if I had to travel to the hospital it would add at least another 1.5 hrs on our day (which doesn't take into account any traffic) I will contact work though HR and see if they have got a list of childcarers who have given their details over so thanks for the suggestion x

Fruity1

poppyscorner wrote: »

They probably do somewhere but I work out in the community homes and travel 45 mins to get there if I had to travel to the hospital it would add at least another 1.5 hrs on our day (which doesn't take into account any traffic) I will contact work though HR and see if they have got a list of childcarers who have given their details over so thanks for the suggestion x

If your trust has an Improving Working Lives person they should have a list of childcare providers who are particularly geared to shift workers. Some may accept childcare vouchers (ours are busy bees), which if you obtain them from work and are deducted from your wages you don't pay national insurance on them so over a year reduces your childcare costs.

Another option is to contact the local council they have a full list of childcare providers and should have a list of vacancies. Good Luck.

Elliesmum

poppyscorner - I've pm'ed you.

xx

Cullumpster

Hi Poppy,
I have PM'd you too

LoLo

Hi, is there no way you can get set hours and days? I ask cos I work for the nhs in the community homes and have negotiated set days and hours due to childcare as this was one of the problems I faced about returning to work. Maybe the staff in the house you work with could reach some kind of compromise. I know the staff in the house I work in are ok as I am doing 1 day at weekend. Hope you get it sorted.