Flexible childcare options/ideas - what do people think..?

[snowboarder]

I'm currently coming round to the fact I might want/need to get back into work post baby - probably in a couple of months. A long story but maybe not my old job although that option is open to me. I've been thinking about maybe looking for some freelance work so I can have more control of hours/workplace etc. But the work could be sporadic, especially at first. I was wondering whether anyone does this and has flexible childcare arrangements? I was thinking maybe a nanny share could work with maybe us committing to 1/2 days per week but maybe not always the same days. Does anyone do this?

It's hard to really think practically as I don't want to start looking for freelance stuff and get all set up if childcare then becomes a deal breaker....

[EllaBelle]

Hi Snowboader

Not to hyjack your thread, but I also have similar requirements, for occasional tuesdays and wednesdays and have just posted under classifieds. I would be interested in what replies come in. If 2 of us are looking for something similar, surely there must be a market for it!

Ellabelle

[lorraineliyanage]

I need occasional childcare and use a childminder on Barry Road who is open to babysitting at short notice and for only a few hours here and there, as long as she has the space to accomodate my daughter. Her details: Laureen, 0208 693 7885. I'm self-employed and work from home so often call her up at short notice and so far she's always been able to help me out. She also looks after a few of my friend's children on a similar basis.

[marax75]

Hi,

I might be interested in doing occasional nanny sharing. Our nanny looks after our 13 months daughter on Tue and Wed.

Let me know if interested. M

[snowboarder]

Marax75 - we will probably be too late for you as probably looking in the autumn - BUT - this is exactly the sort of thing I would like to do - a kind of pay as you go nanny share!

[marax75]

Ok. Hope you find someone:)

[mightyroar]

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I have put the full ad in the classifieds:

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?25,425517

[snowboarder]

Umm so do you help with childcare?? Going back to work is the easy bit as far as I'm concerned!!

[samigirl]

I am in the same boat as you ladies - I just had to turn down 2 days work, i could get childcare but at ?10 per hour I would be paying more for childcare than i earnt. How much does nannysharing cost? and can you get help with the cost via tax credits if you are Freelance (i am a freelance chef) and need to work at short notice??

[littleEDfamily]

Hmmm... it's tricky. What about finding a nanny who works for one family only, where maybe they don't want to commit to a permanent share (as maybe it's too much work for the nanny on a regular basis), but where the family may like to offset their costs on an occasional basis and give the nanny an opportunity to top up her income. Bit of a long shot, but worth a go. You'd prob also need to suss out a few friends who could help out for a day or so here and there, and maybe also rely on hubby if that's a possibility - it's a faff, but with a bit of tenacity I am sure you could find a combination of options that allow you to freelance. I used to nannyshare with a family where both parents freelanced. They ended up paying for quite a few days more than they strictly needed, but it got them through the first two years with their careers still intact as well as the chance to spend a good deal of time with their little one.

[Fi from West Dulwich]

Hello (and to Snowboarder, we've been in touch before!)

I am also a freelance consultant, although I do precious little these days around Oliver, 1, but as he gets a bit older I am keen to set up a sort of informal mothers' cooperative whereby friends share the childcare, so that say 2 people look after 4 children and the other 2 mothers get a few hours/half day off, and rotating it vice versa. We are moving into a new place in West Dulwich with a big garden in May, so I would be very happy to have a gaggle of little ones running amok in it. If anyone is interested in pursuing this idea do get in touch! I might start a new thread for this as I suspect this will be a bit lost at the bottom of this one, but it seems that there are lots of us with similar needs out there.

[EllaBelle]

I just wanted to update on our situation - after much research, we finally found a nanny agency who covered SE London who could send someone round on an ad hoc basis when required (min. 24 hours notice). Same rates as a childminder / nanny for the day (so between 2 kids that was good), but not always the same person which is the downside. Sadly the ad hoc local nanny-share situation did not work out for us, although I would still be open to offers!