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How do I solve my childcare dilemma?

4 replies

Pennies · 16/07/2007 16:32

I have the opportunity of working 2 mornings a week, 10am - 1pm. The thing is I have a 2 year old and a 1 year old.

From September the 2 year old will go to pre-school 5 mornings a week (9 - 12.30). DD2 is at home with me at the moment but we're planning on her going to nursery 2 mornings a week from 9.00 - 11.45.

Anyone got any bright ideas as to how I could solve my childcare problems for the two mornings I might work? Oh, and how could that childcare option work in school holidays too.

Have no local family and can't really ask friends to help out as am quite new to the area and don't really know anyone well enough to ask them to help out on a regular basis.

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LoveAngel · 16/07/2007 16:37

Chilminder? Nanny share? Au Pair? Childminder might be your best bet.

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Pennies · 16/07/2007 18:09

But wouldn't I just end up paying a childminder for looking after them when they're at nursery?

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Hamandcheese · 16/07/2007 19:27

The woman who runs our preschool looks after one of the boys for an hour after preschool each day. She either uses the preschool building or takes him out for a walk / to the park. The mum pays her directly. That family have other arrangements in holidays, but the preschool leader minds ('nannies for' in their home as she's not a registered CM and can't use her own) another family.
Other nursery / preschool staff may be happy to do this too.

Many preschool staff have their own children at school and do the work as it fits in with school hrs, and some may be willing to do an extra hr at the end of their shift. Those with older / teenage children round here like to do a bit of holiday work.

Can your two children go to the same preschool / nursery?
Can't your 1 yr old stay at nursery a bit later?
No chance you can start work a little earlier and stop a little earlier?

Students may provide useable holiday cover, or TAs / school staff.

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Pennies · 16/07/2007 21:17

Sadly not n option for us as the staff in the nursery are winding it down because they want to follow other interests - it's a very low-key little place and only does a couple of hours each day as it is, so no chance of dd2 staying later either.

Think I might have to wait a bit until dd2 is older and can do full days at pre-school.