How do mature students sort childcare?

[Idontlikehim]

I’m supposed to start university in September and I have found a nursery for my 2 DC (2 and 3) but they obviously need to know the days/hours I will require childcare. I contacted the university to ask when the timetable will be released so I can organise this and they responded to inform me we won’t find out until the induction week in mid-September… We have no family near by who can help so I feel like this is going to prevent me going.

I’m just wondering what other mature students have done? In a bit of a predicament!

Book them in full time and as soon as you know the days give notice for the days you don't need them and just use and pay for childcare on the days you do.

When I went , I waited until the kids were in full day school, and they went to an after school club, where DH would pick them up.
Although there were some days, or part days, where I was home, I needed the care still so I had time for all the homework/projects

My dc was already in nursery when I started my course so just needed to add another day. Do you know how many contact hours the course is or whether there's placements? I'd probably booking in full time or 4 days until you know more.

I'm starting a degree in September too, I have 3 kids yes I'm mental on both counts.

My uni have provided exact dates for being at uni campus, placements etc for the full 2 years.

It might be worth speaking to the uni again and explaining the situation in more certain terms.

Mine went full-time to nursery. I ended up having lectures or seminars everyday for all 3 years. I used the gaps to study and picked up early occasionally.

Remember when you aren't in lectures there will be classes, tutorials, meeting up with groups for presentations and private study, you will need close to full time care

They mentioned a placement for the second year but things will be slightly easier then because DC1 will be in school FT and DC2 will be at nursery 3 hours a day too so we’d just need a childminder to collect some days. They said 12 hours a weeks contact when we went to the applicant day. I don’t think SFE will pay for FT nursery, I’m not sure how their childcare grants work really but I figured it would just be to cover the time in uni? Maybe I’m wrong though. We can’t afford to make up much difference from our own pockets that’s all.

Thank you for the responses. I’m starting to think I might have to wait till they’re both in FT school.

Is it advertised as a full or part time course? Have you checked out if you're eligible for any childcare suppprt?

I begged and pleaded and annoyed the hell out of the uni for a timetable so I could plan childcare but nope. Got it about a week before I was due to start - so unhelpful.

I just had to chance it and book four days because I at least knew it would be three days in and two off. I was lucky that there was nothing timetabled for the Friday and it paid off. I'd book full time and then give notice for the days you don't need if you can.

Not only do you not get it until induction usually but it likely won't be the same for the second semester. Ours changed twice a year each year.

You will most likely need child care for more than 12 hours a week - particularly if there's a large component of group assignment and prep with your course.

We used on campus discounted childcare - do your uni have childcare facilities. Priority was given to students rather than staff.

Also found the lecturers were quite flexible in the early days when things were still being sorted out timetable wise and changing. Though it was never ideal to be teaching yourself off notes in the early parts of units - I think most are now still being recorded so that may be an option to catch up if you need it. So much social aspect to being there in person though too so don't rely on this!