Childcare issue - advice please

[Strawbs]

We currently have our baby strawbs in to a nursery which he loves and adores. They open at 8am. My partner does the drop off as I had to negotiate with my work to do the pick up so I leave at 5. My partner's work has just said that the starting at 9.15 is becoming a problem (even though she doesnt finish til gone 8pm most evenings) and they are not sure she can continue to do it (having another meeting today).

I HAVE to leave at 7.30 on the dot to get to work on time as would my partner if starting at 8.30, I am now faced with having to hire a childminder for the sake of 30 minutes every morning - does anyone know if people actually do this?

My other alternative is to pull him out of nursery and hire a nanny which I am loathed to do as he is so happy at nursery and also the cost of nannies frighten the life out of me to be honest.. Im guessing a nanny full time is circa ?2k? Im wary of a share nanny situation as people's circumstances change and I am trying to cause him as little disruption as possible!

Any great ideas really are welcome!!

thanks xxx

[StraferJack]

What a sh***y situation - To have one inflexible employer is unfortunate but to have two is downright out of order

An employer doesn?t have to grant an employee flexible hours in this situation but they have to give a good business reason ? if she is already working 10-12 hours a day I struggle to think what that could be

Whatever the legal ins and outs, if they don?t want to play ball they won?t, tho?. Some excuse will be found

It?s easy for someone on the outside to say this, but my inclination would be for one of you to find a more flexible job, even if it means a dip in earlnings (which given the cost of nannying wouldn?t be as bad). Plus you get to work for a more enlightened employer

The main benefit of course is getting to spend more time with baby strawbs ? instead of now where it?s time you won?t get back ever if you are spending so long in an office

I know all that?s easier said than done, and you may well find other help to deal with the current situation. But even then I would worry about being so beholden to employers so inflexible about something like this

Good luck either way

[shelly2012]

Im a childminder I think you are going to find that a bit hard to get a childminder to do that just for 30 mins .

[Strawbs]

Strafer - thanks.. There is lots to consider right now I agree.. I am going to see how the meeting goes and then hit panic stations from there..

Shelly - I feared a CM would say that.. I have heard of people doing before and after school picks up though, wouldnt it be similar to that?

thanks

[EDAus]

Do you know any other parents attending the nursery - would they be willing to help out?

Any friends who are stay at home parents who would be willing to help out for baby sitting credits etc?

Depending on the nursery rules - could approach a member of staff to work for you privately before the nursery opens?

Below are some links which provide further information on your right to apply for flexible working. If you need any assistance with an application please just send me a private message.

Good luck with it all.

https://www.gov.uk/flexible-working/overview

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=803

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/before-the-equality-act/guidance-for-employers-pre-october-10/guidance-on-managing-new-and-expectant-parents/managing-the-return-from-maternity-leave/requests-for-flexible-working/

[Ole]

If you are friendly with the other mums or dads at nursery could you ask if you could drop your child to theirs and they could take the children over? You could return the favour by picking up your child and the other kid and taking them to your house when they need that flexibility?

[Strawbs]

One of my mum friends whose baby goes to the same nursery offered last night for her husband who does the drop off to try taking both babies to nursery on Monday but they are both 13 months and neither walk so i think it might be a bit hard getting the both out of the car safely, 2 babies, 2 school bags, buzzing to get in (you have to lift the handle of the door to get through).. Its definitely an emergency option Im keeping in my back pocket though..

EDAus - no stay at home mum friends unfortunately, only one I know is moving to the USA in a couple of weeks..

Thanks for those links, Im going to read through them now.. I did approach his key worker for babysitting outside of work hours (weekends etc) and she said she would check the policy and get back to me but never did.. I may ask her again today when I see her, I just didnt want to push it with her if she didnt want to do it.. Plus not sure if they would have to arrive earlier than the open time for set up and that may hinder her at work having baby strawbs with her.. But good option to give more thought to. thanks

x

[cashewnut]

Not a short term solution but there are nurseries with longer opening hours. Bright Horizons (in the Sainsbury's car park) is open 7-7.

[EDAus]

For the nursery drop off on Monday could you borrow a fold up double buggy something like a maclaren.

Could the nursery staff store some extra things for you at the beginning of the week so that you don't need to carry as much each day?

With nursery staff you could ask to put a notice up in the staff room - maybe a part-time member of staff may be interested.

Also maybe contact local colleges and find out if they have any child care students who live locally and could use the work.

As the last option you could always advertise for someone to help out and see what responses you receive.

[Monkey]

I would still try and look for someone who might be able to help you in the morning. You never know.

[Moos]

What a crap situation, poor Strawbs and Jaws.

If I've understood correctly, what you need is someone to come to your house every weekday morning, look after baby Strawbs for a short while and take him to nursery?

It seems to me eminently possible that someone responsible who could do with a few quid could take this on for you. Do you have a regular babysitter you could ask?

[Jessie]

I was in a similar situation when my boy was at nursery but in the evening, not morning - had a v v unsympathetic boss to all childcare anxieties and pressures. Nice. Not. Anyway, I found a lovely young drama student on this very forum (back in 2007!) who did the trick. So it can be done.

[womanofdulwich]

getting care for 30 mins is not feasible. BUT getting a cleaner / ironing person for 2x 2.5 hours slots etc is. Its not full on childcare -more taxiing and holding. ie get to yours and take to nursery and then return to yours and clean- or end of the day clean at yours for a few hours and then collect child and return to yours. Just an idea

[slh2009]

Could you look at nurseries near to where you work? Although appreciate the commute with a child would be no fun....

[Strawbs]

Thanks everyone, my partner is in her second meeting about it right now so will see what the outcome is.. A childminder messaged me who said she would be able to help me if need be so atleast I have an option now thank goodness if this meeting doesn't go well.. I just hate putting him through change but I must remind myself that kids are adaptable! X

[Coach Beth]

Fingers crossed about the employer - really, it is not acceptable in this day and age they are being so inflexible! I'm sure that if they reject her reasonable request, she might be tempted to find work with a more family friendly employer. Th

Anyway, if che can get it sorted out now with them, that would be the best solution because childcare will be an on-going issue throughout nursery years and school to as, although many schools have breakfast clubs, only a few open before 8am.

[Polly D]

Bright horizons (Sainsburys car park) is open 7am til 7pm tho your child can't be there for more than 10 hours/day but is more flexible than many other options, and is lovely.

Good luck, sounds like a v unhelpful employer, what a pain.

[The Nappy Lady]

Hi Straws,

You poor thing, I really hope you manage to find a solution that works for all of you.

Just a thought - have you considered using a childminder rather than nursery full stop? You may find a childminder who is happy with a 7.30am start, and I know a few who are a little bit more flexible about drop off and pick up times - even if not every day, maybe 3 early mornings out of 5 or something?

I know it is hard to think of moving baby Straws when nursery is working well, but I've always used a childminder and been 110% happy with it.

Best wishes, Molly

[Smiler]

What knobhead employers!

I agree with Molly, consider moving to a childminder for the whole time, or another nursery with longer hours. Our eldest daughter moved nurseries several times for various reasons and always settled fine, it wasn't ideal but not too bad. Our youngest has a fab CM, which for us has been a million times better than any of the nurseries. We don't

Iive in ED anymore or would recommend her!

[Strawbs]

Thanks both yes that is definitely something we are discussing at the moment.. Well the team meeting happened yesterday and there was no mention of it even though that was the point of the meeting! I've asked my partner to discuss it with her boss today as I need to get things sorted! I love being back at work but balancing all this whilst concentrating on my work is virtually impossible! X