Hi!
What do families with a parent who's a shift worker do in relation to daycare?
I'm currently on maternity leave and am going back to work in August when my son is one. My husband works office hours so night and weekend shifts will be fine but as I'll be working part time on a roster and therefore won't have set shifts I'm not sure what to do during the week.... I don't want to have to put bub in care five days a week so I'm wanting to know whether there are centres (on the Gold Coast) that allow you to change days according to your roster?
We also have a daughter in Prep but luckily the after hours centre she'll be going to is flexible with days. I was an office worker when she was younger so she just went to daycare/kindy on the three days I worked.
I've thought about a Nanny instead but not sure that would be an affordable option for us (are there any rebates available?) or even where to start looking. Plus, that wouldn't change the fact I work on a roster and I like the structure and socialisation of daycare (my daughter really flourished when she went).
If you've read this far and are able to offer any advice I really appreciate it ?
SHIFT WORK AND DAYCARE
SHIFT WORK AND DAYCARE
Posted in:
Baby & Toddler
7 Replies
I would look into family daycare. They would most likely be more flexible and you only pay for the hours your child goes.
Thank you for your reply, the only thing that worries me about FDC is what we'd do if the carer is sick or goes on holidays.
Fdc usually line up another carer if they take holidays. I am sure it would be the same with sick days.
My daughter was in FDC for 2 years and the carer didn't take a sickie in that whole time! Mine also lined up her own holidays around school hols so it would be easier.
I'd go with family day care too.
As to sick days etc it doesn't very often happen. Those carers are made of stern stuff. My mum used to be a FDC mum and I don't think she called in sick once.
As to going on holiday they give plenty of notice. Most really are relying on the income from you so don't take big holidays. Even major child care centres and school holiday care shut down for periods of time over Christmas and public holidays.
I always used to try and take my leave at the same time as the carer.
My csntre lets us put in two days and is flexible with the rest, which is agodsend. And after school care one rregular day the rest flexible.
I work part time and my shifts change pretty frequently my 3yr old is in day care and they are pretty accommodating with changing days aslong as they have notice.