- Do you believe that more parents are now working at weekends and evenings?
Yes, the Resolution Foundation reported on this last June and other research demonstrates the challenge of atypical working hours, and the very high numbers of families affected at all income levels. We all expect shops and services to be available 24/7 and that means staff are needed at all hours.
- How do parents who work atypical hours juggle childcare?
Some parents work atypical hours by choice because in couple families it can reduce the costs of childcare if one parent works during the day and the other at night or at weekends. Others rely on informal care from a grandparent or family friend to fill the gaps. But we also find many employers ask parents to change their working hours at short notice or, in the worst cases, impose a unilateral change to their contracts.
- Could extending a nursery's opening hours be a solution, or even offering 24-hour care?
We would welcome more flexible childcare options outside the typical 8am to 6pm, and would encourage nurseries to respond to parental demand for longer hours of care. Many parents work night shifts now and have no option but to use informal care.
If they knew their child was happy and well cared for at nursery during the day, they may welcome the option of leaving their child in a familiar setting overnight. Twenty-four-hour care may help more women, and particularly single parents, to enter work. However, there are implications for nursery staff, many of whom have their own children to care for, and how do you avoid passing on the higher costs to parents?
There is also the well-being of the child and family to think about.
- What other options are there?
Perhaps we need to consider whether employers could play a bigger role. If they require staff to work outside core hours, should they be responsible for ensuring childcare is available at times that suit their employees.
Working Families is promoting a Go Home on Time Day on 26 September to remind employers and employees that working late may be necessary sometimes, but shouldn't become the norm.
