Returning to work and finding the right childcare

Photo by Joseph Chan on Unsplash

I mentioned the other day that after 8 years as a freelancer and full-time blogger I’ll be returning to the world of work. Over the last 12 months I’ve dipped my toes in the world of working outside the home and now I’ve got a proper job. I’m ridiculously excited about all the changes that this will bring. For a start I obviously require a whole new wardrobe of clothes and a new Orla Kiely handbag. I’ll be making one more packed lunch every day, to add to the mountain that I already make. And the children will need someone else to take them to school, but I’ll be back in time to collect them from the school gates.

Returning to work and finding the right childcare

With no family nearby I’ve been looking at our options for child care. I will be starting work at 8.30 and need to get my children to school. I can’t be in two places at once! There are a few options including the Breakfast Club at school, an au pair or a local childminder. My 8 year old has already said that he would prefer to go to a childminder, although I can’t squeeze out of him why.

Photo by Feliphe Schiarolli on Unsplash

Luckily I found a handy site called Childcare.co.uk where you can search by postcode to find local childcare you can trust. Childcare.co.uk is an award winning online social networking platform for parents, childcare providers and private tutors with over 1,800,000 members. It’s free to register and easy to search via a drop down list and your postcode.

When I searched for childminders there were 384 childminders within 5 miles. Thankfully you can narrow your search if you have specific requirements, such as a childminder who offers school pick up, before or after school childminders. I narrowed my search to before school childminders within a 1 mile radius and there were 17 results, which was a lot more manageable to look through. You can quickly see basic details such as name, service, location and then click on their profile to see more. The site includes detailed profiles and reviews which is great for putting your mind at rest.

Childcare.co.uk has been so helpful in finding the right childcare for us. I have to admit that I actually turned down a job offer a few years ago because I found finding childcare so difficult. Thankfully with the help of the site we are sorted, my children will be looked after and I can start my new job on Monday!

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

After being a full-time mum for 8 years I’ve become used to being available for every school drop off, school pick up, school assembly and event. To be honest I’ve never given it a second thought. But now I’m counting down the days til I start my new job and I’m getting really tearful at the thought of missing Sports Day next week, as well as my son’s first music concert. I know that many parents work full or part-time but this is going to be a big adjustment for me. Thankfully my children don’t seem too bothered, and of course my husband will be able to go to some of these events. I’ve been taking a few photos on the school run this week to make me feel better.

Let me know what you think of Childcare.co.uk and if it’s a site you’d use to find a babysitter, tutor, childminder or au pair.

Disclosure – post in collaboration with Childcare.co.uk