I’m going to have to give up work due to no childcare

[NoChildCareNoJob]

Single parent to DD aged 7.

No family help at all. ExH won’t help in the week at all.

School wraparound is full with no space, waiting list closed with over 100 children on it.

The two local Nurseries with wraparounds that drop at DDs school are full with no waiting lists as they don’t operate them.

The two childminders that go to DDs school have no space.

It’s a recurring theme around the area, with schools and private Nurseries full often with bulge classes and/or waiting lists.

I’m currently working 10am-3pm around the schoolrun but core hours are 8am-3.30pm, so I need wraparound. I’ve been given until after half term (next week) to sort it out and switch back to core hours. I work 3 days a week.

I don’t earn enough for a Nanny, and I literally have no-one else to help me. Live in a tiny 2 bed flat and go to the office 1 day a week so can’t easily have DD here while I work. The holiday club she goes to only operates in school holidays so no solution there either.

What an earth can I do other than giving up my job? I worked so hard for it after I split with ExH (due to his violence and control) I feel like I’m losing that part of me. I’ve been searching for term time only school hours jobs but they’re few and far between too.

So any suggestions while I write my resignation letter?

I've spoken to both the CM who go to our school again and they said they don't know anyone else in the area that drops or collects from DDs school, they both said they know of 6 childminders in the area and the others drop at the other 3 schools in the area.

I have searched Ofsted and found 1 other they didn't mention but according to Ofsted she doesn't take over 4s, she's on my list to call tomorrow if I get a minute as DDs not in school now due to inset and half term.

Tough one. I echo the idea of spreading your working hours over more days. When you have the conversation with your line manager, sell this idea to him/her. Let them know that you’re really experienced and that if you leave then they’ll only have to spend time recruiting and then training someone new. All of that can take literally months. Take along proof that she’s on the waiting list for a childminder or wherever so there’s a timeline for when you can go back to normal hours. Make it sound like it will work really well.

Thought I'd update and say this is my last week in the job. HR rejected my flexible working request and despite me and my line manager offering multiple solutions they stuck to the line that of "It was only a temporary arrangement".

I cannot find childcare for the times I need, i've exhausted all options. Most of the parents I spoke to use grandparents who they don't want to ask to take an extra child or they use wraparound that they've had arranged for years.

I got work to let me go though not resigned so I still get my UC.

Back to looking for a job for me

That's such a shame and so short sighted of HR

It is so hard. I currently work 9-3 as a housekeeper in a local hotel but it does feel like I’m wasting my degree. There is no after school club or childminder within ten miles. The nurseries who used to pick up at the school stopped because of COVID. I do get some UC but I reckon if I could work longer hours I could get a professional job.

That is so awful.

God forgive your mother for her harshness and unwillingness to help you.

I just cannot understand a stance like that.

I really hope as she grows old, her attitude comes back and bites her on the arse.

Don't ever forget her unwillingness to help you.

Best of luck.

So sorry to hear this OP - HR are a pain in the neck when they interfere with arrangements the manager is happy with!

Too late now I guess but you said "Meanwhile ExH never has to worry about his working hours, and doesn't even provide a room for her as his bloody mother does that". Did you ask HIS mother (assuming you even want to).

@ColinTheKoala

So sorry to hear this OP - HR are a pain in the neck when they interfere with arrangements the manager is happy with!

Too late now I guess but you said "Meanwhile ExH never has to worry about his working hours, and doesn't even provide a room for her as his bloody mother does that". Did you ask HIS mother (assuming you even want to).

I can’t ask his mum, she hates me blames me for the split (despite ExH having criminal convictions for ABH, Battery and other stuff). She says she’d never break a family up for “that reason” so is just as unhelpful as my mum. Ex-MIL blanks me if she sees me in the street even if I have DD with me.

Horrific and potentially against the law given the flex appeal flexible working initiative has been read in parliament. I appreciate this takes effort and inclination but help is out there to fight your corner if you want. Anna winter is the contact for flexappeal - huge good luck

Does your daughter have a friend in school who you know their family . Maybe a friend who she has visited and done play dates etc. If that’s the case maybe have a word with the mum if you could drop your daughter to her house in the morning and she could take her to school along with her child .
Or maybe speak to the school? I think they have things like breakfast club in a lot of primary schools ?

Just saw your update after commenting . Sorry about that OP .