How Flexible Are (Private) Childcare Centres?

[fionas]

OK, our situation is slightly complicated. I'll probably be returning to work in July for five days a fortnight - so two days one week and three days the next.

DP is a shiftworker so on the weeks where I'm working three days, he will be working afternoon shift which means he can look after DD in the mornings. So we will only need childcare from midday (or possibly) later onwards.

My question is - will a childcare centre allow us to only pay for the time she's in there (ie. for those half-days) or will they want us to pay in full? Obviously, I should be asking them, but I just started thinking about it and none of them will be open right now.

[Spring Angel]

I'm going back 5 days a fortnight in May and my DH is a shift worker also so he will be looking after DS some mornings, but the centre we are looking into only has a full day rate and you can't do part days.

I guess it can't hurt for you to ask your centre in the morning.

Sorry I couldn't be more use.

Spring

ETA: I should say you can do part days but you have to pay the full day rate IYKWIM

[Astrid]

Really depends on the centre, my old one (community based) did not have half days, you paid for the whole day. My new centre (council run) does have half days, but at more than half the price. Not sure how often the half day is used, but I did agree to take a half day if that was all they had on offer.

Family day care may be a more flexible option for you.

[Mother Goose]

I work shift work and would LOVE to have the flexibility to put DD in for shortened days and only pay for that... but my centre (an ABC) does not have half days and isn't able to give me the flexibility to change around all the time as they have to book children in for the rooms (and the nursery is in high demand). I could get extra days for her easily last year when she was only there 3 days (she is now full time). Also, to get a reduced rate (only available if she doesn't go at all for the day) I have to give 2 weeks notice and it comes out of the 30 something days the government gives you and still contribute to if you get the child care benefit. I hope that makes sense! To make sure DD and I don't spend too much time apart, I drop her off late (which doesn't bother the centre) if I'm on late shift, pick her up early when I'm on an early shift, and do both if I have the day off. Even when I am off, I still take DD for at least a few hours to keep her routine and also because she loves the centre so much she gets feril if she doesn't go!!!!
Anyway, it can't hurt to ask the centre...

MG

[Michaels Mum]

fionas - sorry to bombard your thread like this but i have a similar question - does anyone know if dcc allow for kids to go every other week - or would you have to pay for every week - our situation is that my hubby wroks away 1 week at a time then is home for a week and so the time he does get with ds is precious - if i was to put ds in full time care my hubby would only see him for the 2 days of the weekend he's home - i think i already know the answer i'll get but thought i'd put it out there anyway

[fionas]

Don't worry Michael's Mum - after talking to my DP, we might want to do this too (ie specified days but only on a fortnightly basis) so am interested in knowing the answer as well!