Help! Major dilemma...

Daycare places are hard to come by in many areas, so it's not unusual that you actually got your child's place at the daycare last December -- it's also not unusual that they aren't sure whether they will have an opening again until June or July.

From personal experience, my daughter has been on the waiting list for a local daycare for since she was eight months old, for a two-day-a-week spot. This daycare is very small so openings of any kind are extremely hard to come by, and part-time ones are almost impossible to get. When she was 18 months they called to say that they had a spot for her, but it didn't feel right to me at the time so I turned it down. The next spot they ended up having was starting this month (when she is 25 months), which I again turned down. I've finally confirmed her to start at their next opening, which is in August (when she will be 30 months). So I understand the waiting game.

My daughter goes to a PORSE babysitter three days a week, and I haven't been quite ready for her to be in care for five full days (three days at the PORSE babysitter and two days at the centre) but after realising over the past year or so that their openings are very rare, I'm biting the bullet because I really want her to go there rather than someplace else that might have an opening exactly when I want it.

Ask them if it's possible to delay his starting until the first week of May, or explain your situation and ask them what their options are. They may be willing to negotiate to hold a spot open for him if you accept on the condition that he starts a few weeks later than the date they want, because you don't have the financial means to pay them for the full six weeks before you go back to work. I would avoid telling them that you don't want him in care yet as they will be less likely to negotiate with you. When you first put his name down, did you specify a start date or was it left open?

Also remember that the earlier you get him in, the better. Once the 20 hours free thing kicks in at the age of three, many parents are putting their three-year-olds in care for as many hours as they can get as it's so cheap. (For example, at my daughter's imminent daycare, it's going to cost us more to send her for two days a week at age two than it will cost to send her for five full days at age three.)

You dont have a family member or friend that could maybe look after him for a couple of weeks?  Does your hubby have some holidays owing?  Also im pretty sure that well you are on maternity leave you accumulate holidays as normal maybe if you offered to take those and start 2 weeks later your work might be happier.  I know you have to be back at work a certain amount of time before you quit to be entitled to having them paid out but im not sure if you have to wait before you can use them.  Could be worth looking into though.  Failing that advertise on here there might be a stay home mum in your area in need of a few dollars that would help you out for those few weeks al ot cheaper than the daycare would.

Im lucky if i was in that situation DP's mum could take him a few days and my work would let me take him in with me for the rest until the daycare was sorted.

Hope this helps anyway