Another childcare rant - how do people do it?!

I couldn’t go back to work after having my baby.

He has severe autism so I couldn’t put him
in after school care - even if I wanted to. I also have to take him to a lot of appointments.

We don’t have any family support.

No, why have you?

We both went self employed and worked from home. Which was hugely risky but worked out for us. That is obviously not the solution for a lot of people!

What?

She isn’t using a nursery. She is using an after school club.

Have you partaken of some glue?

The nursery is shutting down so find another one. It happens.

Had to change my job to part time to accomodate

.

Single mum. I changed to a job that was 15 mins from the school. Dropped ds at 8.40, at my desk by 9. ASC 3.15 until 6. I collected ds at 5.45.

When they scrapped ASC on Fridays, ds was 10, so I took my lunch hour at 2.45, collected ds, settled him at home with drink, snack & phone, and went back to work for 3.45. Not ideal but he was happy and it was only for a year.

Totally agree. The key thing here is that the committee are the employers and that brings with it a whole extra set of responsibilities. Not saying don't do it, but definitely go in with your eyes open.

Particularly watch out if it's set up as an unincorporated charity, as this means the committee members are personally liable, both jointly and severally, for any legal or financial responsibilities. So for example, if it closes down and staff need to be made redundant, if there isn't enough money in the bank account to pay the redundancy then the committee members are personally liable for the rest. (Charities aren't eligible for the government fund that ensures redundancy is paid when companies go bust, so there's no help from there.) So it's vital that a suitable reserve is being held.

This sort of thing is far more complex than attending an hour's meeting a month suggests. And it's different from the responsibilities of a school governor as they aren't direct employers.

Honestly sick of this country not helping working parents 🫠

I don't think it's 'this country's' fault-this is something you as a family need to sort out.

the irony of parents needing to be on the committee to keep it open when you're already busy working and juggling a million other school bits and pieces is hilarious to me also 😅

Hilarious?

it's something I'd love to be part of but have no idea how if find time...Any and all advice welcome!

I would be emailing into the committee and say you are desperate for the after school club to continue as you don't actually know what you would do if it closed so really want to find a way to help. Ask what the committee needs, what commitment it is and how often/when.

Have you done anything like that?

We coped by me being a SAHP and now working part time. My partner also has a job that’s a little bit more flexible which helps with the one day a week where I can’t do pick up.

The child is at school, OP pays for after school club. She is not objecting to paying.

@SMLSML when you were planning your dcs who did you think would be paying for daytime care while you were working?

Op has access to good quality wrap around childcare, and the option to influnce how it runs, inc over holidays, but she doesnt want to get involved to keep it going.

Many people have different working arrangements and geographical/time constraints

I stand by what I said, can’t be up to schools to look after children after or before hours, what about parents who work weekends or nights? Wouldn’t expect schools to look after their children around those times would they?

And then days/weeks when DC were sick, inset days, half-terms, xmas, easter, summer hols were all a nightmare 😫

No family help here. Our primary had a breakfast club from 8am and an after-school club til 6pm. We were sad that DC were there for that long 5 days a week, but we had no other choice 😪

@MoreDangerousThanAWomanScorned that's a very good point about lack of demand for ASC in the wake of increased wfh. It’s true for sure – I have many colleagues who will pick up their kids and then go back to their desk. I’m thinking this will not help the OP. @SMLSML what are other ASC users planning to do? Can you get together with them and see if a group of you can support the running of the club?

And yy what is your plan for the school holidays? Unless you and DH have 13 weeks of holiday between you (which is possible but unlikely) or one of you works in a school, it’s a massive issue tbh.

I urge you to look at school holiday provision OP and come up with a plan. I plan out the following year and tell DH what he needs to book. Frankly DC are in holiday clubs and we take off the weeks there’s nothing running.

Around me a lot of holiday clubs have closed because people wfh with their kids watching tv (I sympathise- £25 a child a day for football camp soon adds up) but companies want people back in the office 2-3 days a week around here and the demand will come back. My employer can and does ask for childcare arrangements for young children- the odd emergency is one thing but 6 weeks of wfh with a 5 year old is another!

Not everyone does.
Many people have family support.
Many people do have access to good wraparound care.

It’s really difficult OP. A real juggle and financial commitment.

in your shoes, I’d join the committee. The more people that join the committee, the further to spread of responsibility. I’d consider it as a positive to put on my CV too. To be honest, what other choice do you have?

one thing that might help - does your employer support staff volunteering? Some do and give time off for volunteering. It’s worth checking.

It's really really fucking hard. Everyone finds it hard, you're not alone.

My dc are in private school and we can pick them up until 6pm. No charge for this, I’m sure it’s worked into the price though. Not every child uses it though. My dc don’t use it but great for the days that we can’t do pickup.

Noones going to want to come somewhere they cant afford child care when places where they can afford childcare exist. Lots of countries have less than replacement level births and they are going to be competing for the best immigration at some point.