[wendylady]

We run our own business and a few years ago (before bub) decided to make our office hours 10-6 pm. We now have staff who work those hours and we're all happy to avoid the worst of peak hour transit. As the boss though we're often there 11 am til 7 or 8pm to wrap up or deal with international clients. However now that we have a bub in care I MUST to knock off early to pick her up because our centre us says I must be there at 5.55pm! or I cop a fine to cover the costs of staff remaining after hours. A few more hours would be good for those nights we have deadlines. I doubt she'd be in care more than 8 hours a day, but shifting them a few hours later than current norm would suit our family schedule so much better.

We'll deal with the issues of real school starting at 9am when we get there

[miriams]

Nice idea but ,as it is, they struggle to find childcare workers. I'm not sure how it would work with penalty rates, people willing to do the shifts etc? I doubt the service could be used as occasional care for the odd night out either... it would be great if centers were allowed to offer it though , many parents who might otherwise not be able to take on a night-time shift would be able to do so.

[jade06]

I think it is a poorly written post.

... in some ways it tries to bring out parental guilt.

[fairyflossfart]

Nice idea but ,as it is, they struggle to find childcare workers. I'm not sure how it would work with penalty rates, people willing to do the shifts etc? I doubt the service could be used as occasional care for the odd night out either... it would be great if centers were allowed to offer it though , many parents who might otherwise not be able to take on a night-time shift would be able to do so.

You might find there would be an increase in carers. Some women who have kids of their own and partners who work day shift, may be willing to do the night shifts.

[Bart.]

I think it's a great idea, too. Childcare workers are parents too and would possibly find this works with their own commitments.

For us, it would mean I could work in the city as I'm making absolutely no headway finding part-time work in the suburbs. If I had a job in the city, I wouldn't be able to make it home before 6pm so right now, it's not an option.

[NoMoreGuilt]

I think it is a poorly written post.

... in some ways it tries to bring out parental guilt.

Agree 100%

[Soccer Mum]

It would be wonderful. I hate how pre-kids I could choose to work 'off peak' and avoid horrendous sydney traffic by sleeping in, going in late, working late. But thanks to inflexible childcare I don't get a choice about that, which is really just more wasted time in traffic for everyone, with no benefit.

I wouldn't leave them there for LONGER hours... but I'd sure like to leave them there for DIFFERENT hours!

Possibly less time overall due to not having to spend so much time in peak hour traffic as you mentioned, and a less stressed Mum, win-win for the kids

I cant quote the post further down about extended hours childcare having been available in Sydney for years, but thought it worth mentioning there is also one in Adelaide in the cbd

[taranicole]

I get the shift work thing. Flexible hours would be brilliant too. I work one morning a week but thankfully now have family to help but when we lived interstate I would work for 2 hours and be paying a full days childcare for 2 kids at a mere $150 (for both). The childcare system seems to only cater for those who work 9 - 5 not those who work odd hours, or only a few hours etc...

Having said that, I worry that parents will get caught up in well, now I CAN work longer hours and do so at the expense of their children. Sometimes I wonder if anyone actually enjoys their children anymore as it seems (speaking generally of our culture) parents view their children as an inconvenience to their careers and social life and are happy to make them someone else's problem. I admit I find it sad that some kids get dropped off at 6am and picked up at 6pm every day of the week. Of course the argument is that they enjoy it - they might enjoy it but if given a choice I'm sure they would choose to be at home with mum.

I understand that childcare is essential in our modern lives but that doesn't mean it's not going to have an impact on our kids. Just because something becomes normal or mainstream doesn't mean that it is without consequence. Eating junkfood is normal and everyone (mostly) does it but it doesn't mean it's good for you.

[Kanook]

I would do anything to go back to work..but can't..because I work in the performing arts = late nights. I'm a sole parent and the cost of hiring a nanny/babysitter would use up almost all of the money I would earn in an evening, so is not worth doing. I don't particularly like the idea of leaving a child in daycare til late at night and disrupting their sleep, but I miss my job, I'm skilled in it, it pays the rent and it is a big part of who I am as a happy person and therefore a better parent and role model.
PLEASE introduce this permanently.

This post has been edited by Kanook: 14/08/2012, 10:54 PM

[trishalishous]

So many people shift work, of course there is a demand for overnight childcare!
I can see some might abuse it, but I think that would be a minority