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Original poster

Can they sack me?

122 replies

dangermousegoesswimming · 17/08/2018 16:12

I work in a SEN school. I have 3 children. Monday, we go back is an INSET day for both of use, then I have my youngest starting school on half days all week.
My mum is away and my childminder is not working that week.
I am absolutely stuck for childcare. Have rung around several (if not all) in my area. INSET days days cost me about £100 for the three of them and I was willing to do it for my job, (even though that's about double my day's wage).
Also my boy's home visit from his school is on the Wednesday and they 'can't change the appointment'.
A colleague had the same problem a while ago and they took her into the office and really had a go at her about not sorting it out. She was really worried they'd sack her. They sent a letter around to everyone afterwards about taking time off.

What choice do I have?

I don't have any friends who I could ask.
I don't know what to do really.

OP posts:

DollyWilde · 17/08/2018 17:03

That's based on your not being able to get any childcare at all. If you haven't yet tried Sitters and childminders further afield you really should before toying with lies.

SuperVeggie · 17/08/2018 17:08

OP you haven't said if your youngest going full days straight away is an option?

Also if you have three kids at primary school you MUST know some of the other parents, even if not very well, but there must be a way of getting in touch with some of them. Someone will be able to do it, especially if you offer to take their on thurs/fri as pp have suggested.

If I was your employer and you told me you had no childcare, and then I found out you hadn't even tried asking parents of others kids in your DCs class, I'd be pretty annoyed. Seems like you have left it late to sort out and then haven't tried hard enough. If they could sack you, you will end up a lot worse off if you lose your Job!

SuperVeggie · 17/08/2018 17:09

Also yes to the idea of uni students, will probably be much cheaper than nursery!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Childcare & nursery Families

didyouseetheflaresinthesky · 17/08/2018 17:10

If you haven't already said anything I'd call in sick.

LIZS · 17/08/2018 17:15

Can you offer to swap days the first week? Then ask another parent to cover the other. If your ex lives a long way away does he have access, could he travel to cover Monday?

Topseyt · 17/08/2018 17:19

Yes to cancelling the home visit. They are of no value at all as far as I can tell.

Ask that your child starts full days straight away. Half days is a pain in the arse and helps nobody.

Does your headteacher allow staff to bring their children to school on the odd day when childcare falls through or is difficult? My Dad used to allow this. He used to take us on occasion when we were very young. Mind you, he was the headmaster, so that was his decision to make.

You could email to ask. Also contact Sitters etc.

It is hard. Also, this home visits and half days crap is just utter bollocks.

ScrambledMeg · 17/08/2018 17:19

The school can keep the children on a half day. My school did when I had a simile problem and I thought it was an entitlement actually to go full time from the start...

Karigan198 · 17/08/2018 17:21

Damn that sickness bug hit you so suddenly didn’t? Pity it’s a 24hr one and you can’t go in until symptom clear. Hope you get better soon

SuperVeggie · 17/08/2018 17:26

I know OP are suggesting calling in sick... what about if the OP is seen/found out to be taking her DC to and from school on the half days? I would be worried about getting caught out, and then it would be very easy to sack you for lying about the situation.

You really need to investigate the full day option, and also the other parents.

SuperVeggie · 17/08/2018 17:26

*pp not OP

SillySallySingsSongs · 17/08/2018 17:27

Calling in sick etc is a really really bad idea. It'll be blatantly obvious that it usntbthe case.

LuluJakey1 · 17/08/2018 17:27

I think you would have been entitled to Parental Leave but you have to give 21 days notice.
www.gov.uk/parental-leave

SillySallySingsSongs · 17/08/2018 17:27

*isn't the

StealthPolarBear · 17/08/2018 17:29

My username I'm afraid that's unlikely to stand up in an employment tribunal

Original poster

dangermousegoesswimming · 17/08/2018 17:29

Because my childminder picks and takes my kids to school every day (until now I've worked every day but dropping to 3 days in September) actually, I don't know a lot of the parents. The ones I do know work also.
I don't know if youngest can go full days. I doubt it as all the kids are doing the same.
It's really annoying as he's been doing full days at nursery for ages.
Trust me, I am trying each and every avenue. I can't rpetend to know people I don't.
I have asked mum if she has any friends I can ask.
I have 3 kids on my own and work so I do not go out socialising and I've only been down here to 2 years.
H has a high paid job in London and it is not the most amicable of people. There is no way he'd leave his city work of 85 K a year to cover me for a day.

OP posts:

Stopyourhavering64 · 17/08/2018 17:29

Surely you've had the summer holidays to sort out childcare ?...parental leave can only be taken if arranged in advance and I doubt you'd be able to miss an inset day anyway
Ask around for any students heading off for uni ....friends of friends who have older teenagers?

Nononannette · 17/08/2018 17:31

I have found local Facebook groups (for the area as well as for the school) very helpful. And I've found a sitter on gumtree before now. Since you're part time you should only have a proportion of the days to do anyway which will help for the future. In fact, since you're part time you don't need to do both days now do you?

BewareOfDragons · 17/08/2018 17:31

AGree with others.

Cancel the home visit; unnecessary.

Tell the school your Reception child will be starting full time from day 1, as they are entitled to under the government guidelines.

Post on local FB pages asking if there are teenagers waiting to start university who would be interested in a couple of days of babysitting for cash.

Original poster

dangermousegoesswimming · 17/08/2018 17:33

In fact, i even wrote a post on Facebook yesterday. One reply. I actually felt sad that I have nobody in times like this.
I really don't think people get that it's possible to just have nobody.
I understand asking the parents at school and I'll ask who I do vaguely know but I will also not send my child to someone's house I don't know. We live in quite a rough area and many of the parents are not who I'd leave my children with for a second.

OP posts:

SimonBridges · 17/08/2018 17:34

Are you sure you are expected to work the inset day? It’s not usual for TAs to come it.

Original poster

dangermousegoesswimming · 17/08/2018 17:35

Nanon, I'll be working Mond. Tues and Wednesday part time which is why i am stuck for those days.

OP posts:

Dishevelled09 · 17/08/2018 17:35

Totally agree with nononannette. Pop a post on local Facebook group and see if there are any local students/mums/grans who can help out plus would be helpful if you have any future emergencies pop up, be a lot cheaper.

TittyGolightly · 17/08/2018 17:36

I think you would have been entitled to Parental Leave but you have to give 21 days notice.
www.gov.uk/parental-leave

The OP is entitled to parental leave. She isn’t entitled to dictate when she takes it - the employer has to agree.

Nononannette · 17/08/2018 17:36

...though my comments might apply to teachers not TAs

Original poster

dangermousegoesswimming · 17/08/2018 17:37

My colleague is a TA and as you can see in my post it did not go down well. I assume I am supposed to but will double check. I might just take all the kids with me and see what happens.
She is in a similar position to me.

OP posts:

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