Please help me solve this childcare nightmare im about to encounter!

Ha! I work in the NHS. let me tell you that where I last worked shift patterns were in force and flexibe working most certainly did not exist. "The needs of the service come first" and all that shite.....thats why I left. Another experienced nurse out the door.

Agree you need to appeal the flexible working decision. Go through their points explaining why your flexible working will not impact quality of service (or whatever) and if you can suggest a solution that will enhance it, then even better. EG if there are periods where museum is busier then why not suggest you cover those shifts, or work the more anti-social shifts regularly, in order to improve quality of service. Then, when you have a fixed schedule (even if it is not the ideal 9-3 Mon-Wed or whatever that you might prefer) you can find the childcare you need - either CM, nursery, or au pair. If you can do at least some mix of unsocial shifts alongside nursery shifts (eg Sun, Mon, Tue) then your bosses may be more favourable toward your application.

At the end of your application you should cite that your understanding is that flexible working must be considered properly by your employer and should only be refused for genuine business reasons and both you and your union await their response, especially given that flexible working already works successfully in many public sector areas that also operate shift patterns, such as the NHS.

i would stick with appealing against flexible hrs decision

I wonder if you could do an au pair/ nanny share with another family who have a full timer? I suppose that might still not cover it as the nanny must have days off during the week.

Really tricky one. I know how you feel about moving heaven and high water to keep your job, I feel like that about mine too.

Swiching to a childminder and moving your son from nursery may be a solution. It could potentially save you a lot of money in childcare fees. I am a childminder and work weekends I have parents with irregular rotas where I have to keep a space for the child every day and they would only use 3 days each week. I like being less busy and charge a lot more per hour than for a standard contract with set days and hours. You would save yourself money on all the stuff an employer has to pay for if they employ somebody ... as childminder will be self employed.

Karoleann I've just reread your post. The first time round this is all that registered:

"If you do you could be really cheeky and ring in sick if you have a difficult weekend shift ..."

The second time I see that it continues:

"... and just cite the fact your childcare has let you down."

That isn't calling in sick is it? Do you think that it is possible that someone reading that may well remember the first bit and not the second? And if they did, and thought that it was OK to lie about being sick do you think it is possible that they might lose their job as a result?

planning to take a sicky because of childcare issues is exactly the sort of thing that makes it hard for working mums to be taken seriously

It is also a one-way ticket to a final written warning for the first offence and summary dismissal without notice or pay in lieu the second time. Let's be absolutely clear, not turning up for work when you can't because of childcare problems is one thing and even the most aggressive employer will take some time going through a process to deal with it but if you call in and say you are not coming in because you are sick when you are not you are deceiving your employer and there is not a union rep in the land that can save you.

Sorry, I agree with Anchovy - planning to take a sicky because of childcare issues is exactly the sort of thing that makes it hard for working mums to be taken seriously, or get a job or promotion etc. terrible advice!

OP - I think a childminder or au pair might be the way to go, though make sure you have a back up plan eg in case they get sick.

Goid luck

Mr anchovy I obviously disagree or I wouldn't have posted it. your comment was utterly pointless.

I find it very unlikely this lady's company can't give her fixed work days each week, they may just need to be convinced its a good idea in a different way.

I hope you do find a solution.

Have you contacted your local authority Family Information Service for details about childminders, in particular those who may consider weekend work? Establish the cost involved and how much taxcredits may provide towards that.

Do you have spare bedroom? If so then I wonder if taking in a lodger could work - they they get a reduced rent in exchange for doing the weekend childcare.

It is very difficult to win an appeal against a flexible working decision - it is all very well for you to say that there are 70 other workers, but if they had to work more weekend days to cover for you it would probably mean their contracts have to be changed which would affect labour relations and might need a pay increase, so it is easy for the company to defend their decision.

you could be really cheeky and ring in sick if you have a difficult weekend shift and just cite the fact your childcare has let you down

That must be the worst advice I have ever read in this topic :(

what reason did they give for refusing flexible hrs at work?

Id have a look for a childminder to be honest, I would be able to accommodate those working hours, and have done in the past, mainly flight crew parents.

Sounds like a real headache, good luch

Do you work in a profession with a strong union where its quite difficult to sack you? If you do you could be really cheeky and ring in sick if you have a difficult weekend shift and just cite the fact your childcare has let you down. Then after a couple of months speak to HR again and apologise for the fact that you've been a bit unreliable and request flexible working again?
Otherwise I'd try and find a new job (I'm presuming you're a nursing assistant)

I would speak to childminders, you may find one willing to do floating hours with occasional weekends and agree a minimum amount to be paid each week. Its definately something I would consider, you need to make it appeal by offering slightly above their advertised rate to accomodate the flexible hours.

Where are you, I guess if his dads at sea, you won't live near me. But to give your child continuality I would suggest a childminder who can work weekends and during the week.

What hours are you working at weekends and what hours of childcare would you need?

Is £7000 your annual Gross salary?
Are taxcredits saying they would cover all the nursery cost, or only 70% of the cost (childcare element of WTC) and what about the maximum claim amount, will that apply? How much are the nursery fees before taking account of any contribution via taxcredits?

some childminders work weekends, maybe ask around a bit