Flexible childcare: does it exist? Post Reply

[dailymail]

Hello everyone

I'm a Balham-living new mum with a 6-month old baby and I'm planning to return to work in the next 3 to 6 months. I'm freelance at the moment and my work can be sporadic - one week I might have 5-days work, the next week just two. Some days I might be working from home and others I might be in an office. And it can be quite last-minute too.

I've started looking at nurseries, but having to commit to 5-days childcare when I might not need it is financially scary so I'm just doing some research into what my other options might be. Does anyone know of any good nurseries that are flexible - who, for instance, would let me put her down for three days a week and then increase it to five at short notice. At the moment I'm presuming my only other choice would be to use a nanny agency and get help as and when it's required?

Cost is a key factor as I'm not a high earner (I expect a nanny earns more than I do!), but obviously my main priority is the welfare of my little one and minimising the disruption it causes. I do realise though that the answer may be to re-think how I'm going to work, but if anyone has any similar experiences - or advice - it would be hugely appreciated.

Thank you in advance

[hjm]

How about www.third-door.com. Might be what you need.

[F1Mum]

I know a friend of mine is trying to set up a crèche/flexible child care in the north cote road area to open in September time. Sounds like the thing you need so maybe watch this website and they might post something

[AbbevilleMummy]

If you have the room, I would consider having someone live-in if the cost of flexible child care is your main issue. It is probably the cheapest and most flexible child care out there.

[DaisyLady]

Try likeminders they are a nanny agency ad hoc care. £10 a month, £3.50 booking fee, £8 an hour minimum 4 hrs. You can build up a relationship with 2 or 3 of their girls that way always have cover.

[nanny2012]

I'm a self employed live in temp / holiday nanny - therefore could help out on a temp basis in your busier periods when I'm not booked elsewhere

[dailymail]

Thank you so much for your suggestions - some things to look into here!
And, yes, getting someone live-in would be ideal, but with a two-bed flat it's sadly not practical. THANK YOU AGAIN to all that posted.

[balhamite]

A friend of mine (not from this area) was in a similar position and she managed to find a childminder who was winding down a bit and didn't want the commitment of her full quota of kids on a regular basis so she was happy to provide flexible childcare. You could look into this option. The Wandsworth Childminders Association are really helpful http://wandsworth.childrensservicedirec ... egory=2260

[mumofsoontobetwo]

I'm in a very similar position as the OP - I work from home and have very flexible hours, but my needs change month to month. Unfortunately, my salary isn't much at all, so places like Third Door are out of my price range. I would be extremely interested in the above mentioned flexible childcare around Northcote Road, or anything similar if it were to ever get off the ground!!!

[littlebalckbear]

I agree with the suggestions above.

Other than somewhere like third door I don't know of a nursery that is as flexible as you need. Having said that, my daughter goes to nursery three days a week and when on occasion I need to work an extra day or two I just ask at the beginning of the week if they can fit her in. The majority of the times I have asked they have been able to. Although on their books they are at capacity, there's often one or two children who are on holiday / off sick etc.

Obviously there's no guarantee they'd have a place when you need it, in which case you'd need to try a child minder, third door or a nanny/childcare agency. I recently used Abbeyville Nannies when I needed a couple of days emergency childcare when my daughter was ill and couldn't go to nursery. They were great and sorted someone excellent out for me in about three hours. The downside is that you pay the nanny their going rate (I paid £10 p/h) PLUS a fee to the agency so it does work out rather expensive.

I also have a couple of brilliant young women who babysit for me in the evening and occasionaly nanny during the day. Again, there's no guarantee that they will be free when you need them but if you get to know a three or four people you'd have options. I found my brilliant babysitters by putting an ad here on NVN.

One thing to consider when looking at nursery fees is that some operate a system whereby the more days you do the cheaper it becomes per day, and others have different rates for different days of the week. i.e. less popular days like Monday and Friday are cheaper (Baby Room Balham for example)

Good luck.

U