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Original poster

Start work soon and still no childcare! What do I do?

165 replies

sayyiusayee · 25/03/2023 06:14

I'm suppose to start on the 12th April.

I've been trying for over a week to find childcare.

I wanted a nursery (haha, I didn't realise I wasn't getting one!), and they all said nothing at all until September, one even said September 2025 Blush

I've asked loads of childminders and they all say they don't have the availability

It's a good job for me. I feel so sad I might have to turn it down...

Honestly, what do people do? How do other people find childminders so much easier to get hold of than nurseries? They're all booked here

OP posts:
Original poster
sayyiusayee · 25/03/2023 07:07

@Namechange224422 Some great suggestions but the nurseries with nothing until September have all explained they only do full days (and a minimum amount of sessions a week).

I can only do very PT and I will have no holiday to cover me at times if I need it as the job is in a school so no annual leave other than school holidays

No family help unfortunately

OP posts:
whodafucisalice · 25/03/2023 07:09

Is there anyone that could babysit for you, a friend, college student who has free periods in those hours. I'm not saying it's a perfect solution but it's perhaps a possibility. Also consider an au pair.

Paq · 25/03/2023 07:11

Sorry you got an unnecessarily hard time OP. Your situation just shows that the childcare system is broken...

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Childcare & nursery Families
Original poster
sayyiusayee · 25/03/2023 07:11

@whodafucisalice don't know of any friends to cover no, students might be an option but I can't afford it

Can't afford an au pair either, who would take just 9/10 hours a week split over 4 days?

OP posts:
BernadetteIsMySister · 25/03/2023 07:12

Can you do 2 full days instead of 4 half days?

Lovelyveg80 · 25/03/2023 07:14

Op I hate to say it… but I don’t think this job is for you as literally every suggestion you have ruled out and there’s no more options really

qapks · 25/03/2023 07:15

m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02eBUWZzX3iDUonR93EZeSioTUkcN34Rt2kV3wcdgNLp8hsHKzEUx7wyuAvbWCjg1ul&id=1600676346836911

This post from pregnant then screwed explains some of the issues childcare is facing at the moment. A big issue is they can't afford to run, hence nurseries only offering full time day places because if your child does 4 afternoons and another doesn't take the 4 morning places to counteract that they lose money.

Mine were signed up before they were born and then when I recently switched to a different nursery I made the arrangement 8 months before it would take place. Unfortunately it is common to need to be making arrangements so far in advance.

ClarabelleRose · 25/03/2023 07:15

Cod, people can be needlessly brutal. Some of the comments on here are completely devoid of understanding or compassion.

OP, this is clearly a big problem for you. It’s also a big problem within our society, where childcare options are limited for women returning back to the workplace following longer career breaks. You haven’t just had a baby, taken 6 months maternity and suddenly realised you need childcare in a couple of weeks’ time. It’s clear that you’ve only recently decided to find some work and that feels a very chicken or egg situation - how can you get a job without childcare but how can you secure childcare without knowing you’re going to need it/be able to pay for it?

When my DDs were little I did end up spending more on childcare than I earned. It didn’t last very long and meant I was out of employment for much longer than I’d wanted to be.

I don’t have any practical suggestions I’m afraid, but I wish you luck and hope you find a suitable solution.

BernadetteIsMySister · 25/03/2023 07:17

Pregnant and screwed are not on the side of childcare providers. They pretended they were, and used some high profile groups to help their campaign and then the afternoon after the budget was announced, they blocked them all on social media.

DidyouNO · 25/03/2023 07:18

Also look on the SCMA website (Scotland) or OFSTED at childminders and ask on your local Facebook groups if there's any childminders just starting out as they may have spaces.
I wish you well for the future and hope it works out for you.

Statsinyoureyes · 25/03/2023 07:21

People are being rude without considering OP's situation. I'm in exactly the same position. Had planned to return to work once DC starts school in September. Cost of living has meant I had to bring it forward. I had to turn down a job and withdraw from 3 applications because I can't find childcare. Every time I want to go for a job I have to hunt round for different days etc, it's a real catch 22 as you can't accept a job without childcare already in place, but can't get childcare in place without the income of a job.

In the end I've got a weekend job and my mum will help with the kids as DH also works some weekends (shift work). But the amount of money i'll earn isnt really enough to plug the gap. And in the 5 months I've been looking we've become even more tight for money, it's so stressful.

qapks · 25/03/2023 07:26

BernadetteIsMySister · 25/03/2023 07:17

Pregnant and screwed are not on the side of childcare providers. They pretended they were, and used some high profile groups to help their campaign and then the afternoon after the budget was announced, they blocked them all on social media.

I wasn't saying they were on anyone's 'side.' The post I shared helps to explain why there often aren't places available very easily at short notice. For example losing 5,400 childcare providers in the last year.

WoWsers16 · 25/03/2023 07:34

I totally understand your worries and frustration, my boy went to preschool 2 days and then childminder 2 days- unfortunately last week my childminder had to close so I had to find 2 days care for my son asap- I must of rang around 25 places and no space- it doesn't help it's coming up to Easter so free hours for children are booked.
I spent 3 days literally sobbing - his preschool had no space, childminders, nurseries etc... luckily I found one that could do one of the days but has a 4 week settling period so not a full day till after Easter - unfortunately I've no one for 1 day a week- it's a pain :( x

mrsbitaly · 25/03/2023 07:39

I think half days are usually done by nurseries and may be quite booked up as the children that get 30hrs free childcare from 3 years start beginning of April and later in the year.

It's an awful situation you are in. Maybe try sites like www.childcare.co.uk or local FB childcare groups. Maybe a babysitter for the time being if it's just afternoons?

I hope you get it sorted OP

MangoPi · 25/03/2023 07:41

Yep it's so hard. My daughters was shut out of the blue and I was so fortunate that a new pre school had just opened - it was the only reason I got her in otherwise nothing until September and the older children had moved on to school.

For my son, I had to 'book' him in about a year in advance and about 8 months before I could really afford it (knew I was getting a payrise and his entitlement to some free hours didn't kick in until 8 months later) purely to get him a spot as I knew there would be nothing but I'd rather of been out of pocket and skint for 8 months to keep my job. Sometimes there isn't an alternative unfortunately.

MangoPi · 25/03/2023 07:42

has your local area got a face book page? Could you post on there?

MumOf2workOptions · 25/03/2023 07:46

I mean there's 2 schools of thought here

  1. 9.5 hrs is barely worth messing about with and then there's the issue of is that even viable over 4 days?
    A half day at a nursery or a childminder is billed at 4 hours as a general rule so you'd pay for 16 hours to work 9.5 that seems crazy.

  2. it's a nice little job and would get you back into work which is great and would be great for you

It's so so hard.
Monday morning I'd have a plan!!
Phone your local children's centre
Ring your local authority children's services
Get on social media

Maybe another mum who's at home would be your solution and you could work something out with her perhaps? I know they are offstead registered but if your only paying for the hours you need even if it's 50% of your wages it would be a short term solution to it until a nursery space becomes available.

It's In a school and so after Easter theres 6 weeks until the May holiday and then another 6 weeks until the summer so all in all only 12 weeks of someone potentially helping you out.

If one of my friends needed some help like this on a temporary basis I'd have helped especially for a bit of money while I was on maternity leave

I hope you get it sorted ❤️

headstone · 25/03/2023 07:47

look for anywhere that will accept four days and find another job that you can do in the mornings. Jobs like cleaning and care work might be available easily. Or you might be able to find a babysitter to cover you for four afternoons.

MumOf2workOptions · 25/03/2023 07:49

@sayyiusayee
Where abouts in the uk are you?

Pleasepleasenomorecocomelon · 25/03/2023 07:51

Could you expand your search further? I looked at the start of the year to move my DD to a nursery closer to home (as we moved) when she turns 2 but managed to find a really lovely local one with space straight away.

rattlinbog · 25/03/2023 07:51

Ask on Facebook groups. Or on childcare.com (create an account etc). Amazing whet you can find.

MeinKraft · 25/03/2023 07:52

Honestly I would look for an unregistered childminder/babysitter until September.

GoodChat · 25/03/2023 07:53

Can you not put yourself on waiting lists for nurseries and childminders and use a babysitter or childcare student temporarily? I know it means you won't be able to claim on UC but it might be worth a temporary financial hit in the short term, if it's feasible.

elodiesmith · 25/03/2023 07:56

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Phineyj · 25/03/2023 07:57

I don't know what the school job is, but I would suggest a supermarket would be more likely to accommodate availability based on what childcare you can get.

Schools are very inflexible, obviously, because they generally need staff there when the kids are there.

I will say though as a teacher that it's so hard to get admin staff (or any staff) that you could ask them to consider you in future if your childcare situation changes.

I don't know about the UC aspect though - if they'll only accept Ofsted registered childcare that cuts down on your options. I have used Sitter.com in the past but those are individuals so won't be Ofsted registered. And may want paying the same as a school would!