Lately
Recently
The near approximate is the approximate time that was near to you. This period of time is the lately period of time. It's recently.
ちかごろ
The reading is 近い and 頃 put together.
近頃は製菓工場で夜勤の仕事をしているんだ。
Recently I’ve been working the graveyard shift in a confectionery factory.