I need somewhere flexible

[theoriginaltms]

I've got 2 children oldest had just started full time school my youngest has just gone 3 so won't start full time school untill 2021 (he's 30th September)

I don't work but my partner does, his wage is topped up with UC so we can just about survive, his job is as and when there is a job booked in(he's in the body work trade).

I really want a job to boost our income and be better off but I'm really struggling finding somewhere to fit around nursery and school hours. My daughter starts at 8.55am finishes at 3.15pm my son goes in at 12:30pm untill 3:30pm.
I can work weekends and evenings, as I no there dad will be here to have them, there is nobody else to watch them. I've applied a few times at the local supermarkets, home bargains, Iceland but just keep getting rejected.

What am I doing wrong? Is it because I have put in the application I would only be able to work weekends or evenings? Should I leave that out of the application untill I hopefully get an interview?

I really want to work I don't want to be a 'stay at home mom' anymore. Ideally when my son is at full time school I want to start at university to become a primary school teacher. I have some qualifications but that seems to make no difference.

[flowery]

”My daughter starts at 8.55am finishes at 3.15pm my son goes in at 12:30pm untill 3:30pm.”

Is there wrap-around care at the school, or a childminder locally who can do drop offs and pick ups? Can your son do longer hours at nursery?

[WitchesGlove]

Have you tried care homes?

House cleaning?

[theoriginaltms]

@flowery there is another nursery that do a 'walk over' to his current nursery so yes I can put him in there from 8.30 at £6 per hour so that would be £24 per day, I think this is where a lot of parents struggle to both work because of the cost of child care. He currently gets 15 hours free

[popcorndiva]

Yep surely your son gets his free hours from next term at nursery. If you are working that's 30 hours so you can do some shifts in the day. Pay for after school club for your DD

[theoriginaltms]

@WitchesGlove I have advertised cleaning on a few local websites but nothing as of yet. I did consider care but nobody ever got back to me about that either. Maybe it's just me?

[theoriginaltms]

@popcorndiva really? I never knew he would be entitled to 30 free hours that would of course be so much better

[Strangerthingshere]

The hospitality industry is your friend for that kind of availability. Try handing your CVs into local bars and restaurants

[Strangerthingshere]

For the weekends and evenings that should say

[flowery]

” yes I can put him in there from 8.30 at £6 per hour so that would be £24 per day,”

As long as you are earning more than that, you’re better off working, and obviously you’re more likely to find a job if you can offer a little more in terms of hours.

[popcorndiva]

Yes if both parents are working it's 30 hours the term after they turn 3. You will need to meet the minimum hours worked though. Surely though as long as you are not losing money ..working is better for you as you say you don't want to be a SAHM anymore

[coragreta]

30hrs if you work 16hrs or more and you need to apply by certain dates so be careful. I missed the deadline and had to fork out for a whole term.

[WitchesGlove]

Which part of the U.K. are you in?

Is there a shortage of jobs in your area?

[Littlefish]

He will only be entitled to 30 hours if you are both working, both earning approximately £125 per week each (I can't remember the exact amount).

[theoriginaltms]

Thanks for all the advice. Yes of course I wouldn't mind as long as we're not worse off. I have just looked online and the deadline is the end of November for next term. I live in a city so no there are jobs and I am applying for them but I just don't hear anything after the application process.

[Justapatchofgrass]

cant your partner get a full time job? as and when is a luxury that people with children cant afford.