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Returning to work after having a baby

Blog

22 January 2020

Navigating the Return to Work After Parental Leave

Top tips for a smooth, stress-free transition back to the workplace.

Returning to work after a period of maternity or paternity leave can be tough. Whilst you might look forward to finally finishing a hot cup of tea in peace, there are going to be some big decisions to make and routine changes to consider. Here are our Kids Planet top tips for making the return to work as smooth as possible.

Phase 1: Prioritising Your Wellbeing

Get as much rest as you can: This isn’t easy with a little one when you’re tired and emotionally drained! But try to rest when possible and do some exercise each day – even five minutes is better than none.
Find support in the workplace: Lean on other mums and dads who have similar experiences. They can be invaluable in helping to make the emotional transition that bit easier.
Ask for help: It’s absolutely okay not to feel okay. It’s important to ask for help from partners, friends, or professionals if you need it.

Phase 2: The Workplace Transition

Start back mid-week: That first week might be exhausting as you get back into new routines. If you can, ease yourself in gently with a shorter week (like starting on a Wednesday).
Talk about flexible working: Flexible working doesn’t just mean going part-time; it could be delayed start/finish times, a job share, working from home, or compressed hours. Discuss this in advance! (Note: Some of our nurseries offer flexible hours for working parents, so ask about options.)
Plan regular line manager reviews: It’s good practice to make time to talk through issues, workload, and adjustments on a regular basis upon your return.

⚖️ Know Your Rights

The 26-Week Rule: If you’re returning to work after less than 26 weeks, you’re entitled to return to the exact same job. If you return after more than 26 weeks, you still have the right to return to the same job unless your employer has a “good business reason” why not.

Breastfeeding Mums: Your employer should provide somewhere suitable for you to rest. Whilst they’re not legally required to provide somewhere for you to breastfeed or express milk at work, you should ask if they can organise something for you – such as a fridge to store milk or a quiet, private room.

Phase 3: Sorting the Childcare Logistics

Do your research: Feeling happy with your childcare decisions will help you feel more settled as you get closer to day one. Ask for a nursery tour, talk to the staff, and look at their social media pages to get a feel for the activities your child will be involved with.
Plan your settling-in sessions: At Kids Planet, our nursery visit programme introduces both you and your child to the staff caring for them. We recommend that a minimum of 3 separate visits are essential to enable your child to settle. By the time you take up your place, both of you will feel totally comfortable!
Do a childcare trial run: It’s always good to prepare for the morning rush. Trying a “dry run” will give you the opportunity to sort any foreseeable problems with traffic, packing bags, or drop-off timings.
Stay connected with Apps: All Kids Planet nurseries use Famly, an interactive app that provides a safe network to access information about your child’s day. Our staff upload videos and photos so you get a full insight into their day while you are back at your desk.

Looking for Peace of Mind?

If you’re a new parent considering your childcare options before returning to work, get in touch. We would love to show you around one of our award-winning nurseries to help make the transition as easy as possible.

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