Childminder/nursery place - part time/term time?

Dizzy_Blonde

I've just discovered that I'm pregnant rather unexpectedly so we are currently working out finances etc. I will no doubt go back to work after maternity leave but hopefully part time - can I have a part time place at a childminder/nursery?

Also, my husband is a teacher so will be home in the school holidays - are we able to only pay for child to be with childminder/nursery in term time (it seems silly to have to pay for them to be there when he can look after them at home for frree!)

Cheers :beer:

jetcat

hi - congratulations!! yes it is possible to have term time only contracts with childminders - not sure about nurseries though, as my little one goes to a childminder. If you have a look on childcare link website, and search for childcare providers in your town, i am sure they put on there whether they will accept term time contracts. But, just a little not, my childminder informed me that she knew of some of her colleagues who would quite happily 'drop' a term time place when a full timer came along, so make sure your contract with the provider is fully correct!! Am sure that that will be the minority though!
Good luck!

flea72

most childminders can do term-time only, as they usually have children who during term-time are only looked after before and after school, so therefore during holidays need a full-time place.

however, they normally do charge a retainer of min 50%. some charge full-rates, as if they dont have someone to fill the space during holidays, they are losing money.

Personally, i have just kept the childcare running as in term-time, and then decide whether to send my kids or not. Keeping to a routine works well, espec with young kids, and it also means i can have the odd day to myself to get things done, if i need to, or spend more time with the kids, if we want to

hth Flea

Js_Other_Half

I know one of my friends has her child in nursery part time, term time only, as she is a teacher.

blue_sushi_cat

I had a childminder for my 2dc when I went back to work - ds1 was nearly 3 and ds2 nearly 1. I paid her a retainer (50%) over the summer and easter, she took Christmas as her holidays so I didn't pay her and I paid full price for the half terms. I moved the boys to nursery the year after (due to convenience) where I paid the full rate all year whether they were there or not. I tended to put them in for a morning or so a week during the holidays to get some time to myself. I wouldn't have thought it was economic for a nursery to offer many term time only places as they generally have full time staff.

Counting_Pennies_2

childminders who have children at school often like the idea of term time, although you will probably need to do more searching for one.

However, your husband might find the need to do work in the holidays, as there is lots of preparation work and meetings if I understand it right, plus a good chance to get all those jobs done around the house, which tend to be very difficult with little ones around. So do keep an open mind about it

CSandL

We are both teachers and have DD2 in a term time only nursery attached to DS and DD1's school, so that may be a good place to start/

Congratulations BTW :j :j