Mums, dads.. People with young children. Looking for some advice

LannieDuck

Me and OH both work slightly shifted hours to fit around nursery opening times (7.30-6pm).

He drops off at nursery at 7.30am, gets into work a bit late and then works slightly later than he'd like. I go in a bit earlier than I'd like and leave work at 4.30pm to collect at 5.30-6ish (traffic depending).

It works well, but it's a bit stressful for OH to get them out of the house on time in the morning, sometimes if there are traffic jams (I go around Hangar Lane in the evening) it's stressful for me, and it's a long day for the girls. But it does work.

Given that you'd be applying for a new job, I think your OH would have to be the one requesting flexibility. Would his work be open to such?

chelseablue

Me and my partner both work 8:30am - 5pm.


Our little boy goes to nursery 3 days a week, I drop him off at 8, but they can open from 6:30am as long as you give at least 24 hours notice, so there are nurseries out there that open early.

hippychick1

I was a single mum of three young ones when I did my nurse training. Some placements I had to be on the wards by 7am. I couldn't have managed this without my wonderful childminder. For me, it was the only option starting so early and I don't regret it. She was fabulous and the children loved her. It would be worth contacting local childminders, some can be very flexible.

Loz01

Have you asked for flexible working? My SIL starts her job at 9:15 so she can do the school run in the morning, her job was supposed to start at 8am but they allowed her to start later and she makes up the hours I think.

dirty_magic

I don't think this job sounds very practical tbh. It's one thing asking for flexible working if you're a long standing valued employee, but if you're just at the acceptance stage and already asking to change the hours they're likely to just go with someone else who can do them.

Could you not hold out for a similar job with more reasonable hours or is it something very specific?

Qtipps4

I too am in central Scotland. My children go to a childminders part time and I'd recommend it. Most childminders are very flexible and in my experience happy to find a solution. In Scotland you need to look on care commission website. Best way is get to know childminders through toddler groups book bugs at libraries etc.
My only experience of nurseries is as a teacher supporting transition to school but know many parents prefer this option.
Pm me if you like might be the same place in central Scotland!

shiny76

On the subject of changing the days a child would attend nursery...

It's worth looking at the cost of having a full time place vs 4 days a week. In our area it works out at approx £50/month as fees for a 'part-time' place are higher than for a 'full-time' place.

Some nurseries open at 7am. e.g. a Busy Bees near us. So keep looking! And best of luck

shiny76

For more help on finding a suitable nursery, you could try local facebook groups. Asking locals for good nurseries that open early.

view

Just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who took the time to respond on this query. You all gave me a lot of food for thought and information which was really useful. I have thought on this for quite a few days now, situations spiralled round and round in the mind and have taken the decision that I won't return to full-time work just yet. Our child had a small placement in a nursery for half a day and they loved it. Really loved it. At least that cemented in my mind that attending some sort of nursery on a part-time basis would really benefit them. I'm going to continue the search, but for a part time role with later start times (etc).

I know this will impact savings we could make and attractiveness to mortgage companies however I believe jumping straight back into full time work with a bit of a hellish commute, very early wake ups for us all and full time nursery isn't the answer just now. This is the only child we'll have and I'm really looking forward to spending more time with them.


I feel certain this is the right thing to do and thanks to everyone for 'listening' and providing advice.

Oh just a bit of info you can apply to companies for flexible working however you have to be there for 26 weeks or more.

Cheers everyone!

chelseablue

Good luck with finding a different job, I'm sure it will all work out great!