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

[sayyiusayee]

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

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

Childminders can only take 3 children I think under school age per day so you might have more change if could say do 2 full days in your job. They might have spaces then if have other kids on certain days. Asking for 5 afternoons is taking a whole week up. Hope you get sorted.

This is a shit situation that loads of women face and some if the replied you are getting are smug or plain ridiculous.

Do you go to toddler groups ir mum and baby groups? I would ask around there if you do. The informal mum network is a good start . Do you have a partner? If so can he flex his hours either short or long term?

Your probably going to have to miss out on this opportunity find somewhere or pre organise it on a wait list or what not like September coming children will be moving around and what not and get a job to go inside.

Have separated from H so it's not an option. Plus he wouldn't help me anyway

Ok so childcare costs are an allowable deduction from wages for carers allowance so your costs will keep you below the earnings limit. This means that you could use all day childcare until you got something sorted or work more hours and keep your carers. As you are on UC they will pay 85% of the childcare, if registered.

Your LA should have a childcare section who could help.

@WonderingWanda if you'd read the full thread I mentioned caring commitments. So yes long term I am 'stuck on benefits' in many ways

I was a biomed scientist before I had my eldest!

I'm a childminder, fully booked until September 2025 - some children who will stay and some who aren't born yet. People are getting very desperate and really quite rude and aggressive when phoning for a place and I tell them this. There just isn't the provision. All these "free" places are just going to add to the problem next year.

@BessieSurtees there aren't any more hours to do in this job. And yes you're right it's deductible and paid at 85% by UC if with a registered provider but I won't even break even at that point

Why's that then? Do you have older children at school? Are you planning to not ever use holiday clubs etc?

It could be worth looking at independent schools in your area if there are any with a nursery. It might just be possible to find an admin job that would also give a fee discount for your own DC to attend.

As others have said, otherwise options are only really evening or weekend work, ad hoc stuff or working for yourself.

When I used sitters.com a lot, quite a few of the sitters had their own DC who were with the dad while they babysat for us.

Maybe you should look for a college or university course that has childcare and good employment outcomes. The longer you plan, the more likely you are to find a solution eventually. Plan back from the position you'd like to be in when DC is school age?

You need a different job unfortunately.

Op I think I'd get in touch with a local college that has child care courses and ask if they have any students who'd want to do a bit of babysitting.
Or advertise on a local Facebook page for a babysitter.

I can't think how else you'll be able to do iit. It's not really viable for nurseries or childminders to offer half days.

Longer term if you are a biomed scientist could you not get a job in a uni or a become a science technician or school teacher?

@Phineyj as I say, caring commitments.

My older child cannot access holiday clubs etc

So you are effectively a single mother caring for disabled child with a one year old ? I don't think anyone even this Tory government would expect you to be in paid employment. I hope your DCs' father(s?) Is paying decent CMS.

Ah OK! Well maybe something to do temporarily would be to find a teenager to watch baby 3-5 or 4-6 at your house while you tutor GCSE and A-level Science or Maths online? It's the ideal time of year! Easter holidays too. Just think of all those DC wishing they'd started revising earlier... meanwhile you can try to get work and childcare sorted for September.

@Phineyj my eldest is home during that time, he's home from 4 and I've got to be there

Most people I know book childcare when the baby is still in their tummy!!

What's wrong with you? What was the point of this comment?

Oh that's tough about the holiday care. So you're also limited by your older DC's term dates then? I've been teaching the whole time I've had my DD (10 years) and very rarely have our term dates matched exactly. Sometimes they've been a week or more adrift.

My cousin is a science writer. She "translates" technical clinical information so drug company PRs can understand it.

There may be some opportunities from home with your skills. You'd be better re childcare doing a few hours at your skill level than inflexible min wage stuff.

Mumsnet Jobs is actually quite useful to look at.

Dp you not get carers allowance then op?

I do, yes

How come you wouldn’t break even if you only have to pay 15% of costs?
If you earned £100 and childcare was £260 you would pay £39 of that.

@Phineyj I mentioned that at interview and fortunately they said they'd be flexible for that as I had 'specialist experience', they just mean experience with a disabled child

Unfortunately they just couldn't be flexible on days

OP - it might be better to repost with all the parameters and maybe someone will have creative ideas for you re work (if that's what you want).

Is the school job one they will find hard to fill if you don't take it?

Who is pushing you to work? The DWP, your ex, you yourself?

Maybe you can't work right now. You can still plan ahead though.

@Phineyj thank you

Nobody is pushing me. I just feel a bit deflated not doing anything

There's no way you're not aware of the huge wait lists for nurseries? I don't buy it.

Actually I didn't know. It wasn't something which ever brought up while I was pregnant but it would have been useful information. Fortunately I realised when my DD was two months old and managed to get onto a nursery waiting list for when I went back to work.

I really feel for the OP 😢