The problem with rotating shifts and childcare
Nursery and school run on fixed weekdays, but a rotating rota does not. Add a partner who also works shifts and it is easy to miss a day when nobody is free. Checking early gives you time to arrange cover or book leave.
How the childcare check works
- Build your own pattern in the shift planner.
- Choose Set up childcare check. This adds two overlays: Partner for their working days and Nursery for the days your child is looked after.
- Tick the weekdays that apply to each overlay, or use a rotating cycle if your partner works shifts. You can rename an overlay to anything you like.
- Days you work when your partner is also working and nursery is not on are flagged on the calendar and listed under Days that may need cover.
Adapting it to your family
- Use the School Mon-Fri preset on an overlay for term-time weekdays, and the rotating cycle for term-time breaks.
- Change the flag rule between all overlays matching and any overlay matching, depending on how strict you want the check to be.
- Add up to eight overlays, for example a grandparent who helps on set days.
- Use extra dates for overtime or a swapped shift, and the flags update.
Plan around the holidays
Bank holidays and school holidays change who is free. Check the countdown for the early May bank holiday, the spring bank holiday and the summer bank holiday, or browse every holiday countdown.
Your family's shifts and schedules are saved only in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
Frequently asked questions
How does the planner know when I need childcare?
It flags a day when you are working and the overlays you have set up match, for example your partner is working and nursery is not on. You choose whether all or any overlays must match.
Can I include nursery or school days?
Yes. Use the Nursery or School overlay for the weekdays your child is looked after, or a rotating cycle for term-time breaks.
Is my family's schedule stored online?
No. Everything is saved in your own browser on your device, and nothing is uploaded or shared.