Im a junior nursery manager and finished for maternity leave in FEB. I had a baby boy 7 weeks ago and originally said i would return to work in SEPT when DS will be 16 weeks old.
In total i will have had 28 weeks maternity leave. The idea behind the early return was so i could start my 3rd year of my foundation degree in OCT (paid for via local council)
Now starts with the dilemma.
DS has had a few issues and been diagnosed with dairy intollerance adn reflux and severe colic all needing hospital stays etc to get sorted and im now starting to realise how few weeks there are till im due back at work!
Also work has had some major changes......managers have moved, staff have left, parents have left....infact the workplace is unrecognisable which is quite frightening.
Anyway, i visited work last week and had an informal chat with the owner of the buisness about my return. Originally as i said i was due back in sept and was told (only verbally) that i could take DS with me to work and have reduced childcare (50%) and it was mentioned that if i went back doing more hours and taking on more work i could get free childcare. All the changes that have happened seem to have changed this though.
Basically I have been told my job (school hours) has effectively been made redundant as the shift is no longer needed. This isnt a huge issue as i can do 3 days on a late shift BUT the owner is now saying i will have to pay full fees.
I checked out tax credits and we will only get £30 a week help towards the childcare which would be £120 per week (if i do 3 days @10-6)my wages would be £136 so i would be earning £46 per week!
from that i would have to pay petrol to get me to and from work which is a 22 mile round trip 3 days a week.
the problem is if i give up work i miss out on finishing my degree........im stuck! do i effectively work for nothing, relying on friends to look after my other 2 DCs or do i give up my degree and work and concentrate on my family.?
also am i entitled to write to my boss and request to take the extra few weeks of SMP which will take my return to NOV and buy me some more time to make a decision?? I have had 28 weeks (will have had by sept 12th) and think im entitled to 36 weeks SMP and then my weeks accrued holiday.
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12 replies
Bonkerz · 27/06/2011 18:22
OP posts:
DontWorryBaby ·
28/06/2011 22:31
That's excellent news bonkerz, bet that's a huge relief for you. 
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