SMP & toddler nursery - can’t afford

[SharpPinkDuck]

We are likely to be on SMP or maternity allowance for next baby (we qualify for no help) meaning we won’t be able to afford for DC1 to keep going to nursery while I’m off. Has anyone experienced signing them up for their existing nursery after time off like this and how hard is it having both around? We don’t have the privilege of the break for one to go to nursery unfortunately due to lack of free hours etc.

I think that’s quite normal tbh.

I pulled mine out of nursery when I was on mat leave.

I believe you can be eligible for UC on SMP. Up to 90% childcare is then paid.

I also pulled mine out, he was 3 and eligible for the free hours but after him doing 2 years there everyday whilst I worked, I wanted him at home with me whilst I was off

You won't get help towards childcare from UC unless you're working

You won't get help towards childcare from UC unless you're working

Being on mat leave counts as working as long as you are getting SMP or the likes.

Only the unpaid part of ML, if taken, doesn't count as working.

Have you looked into whether you can claim UC while on maternity leave OP? Covers up to 80% of childcare including if you are on maternity leave.

To get uc the household income needs to be low enough, whilst many struggle with the drop in income, many will not be low enough for for uc (income is relative to outgoings). Absolutely fine to have dc in nursery or reducing hours to 15 which from age 3 you can claim without working

Maternity pay and/ or maternity allowance are both forms of help, by the way. So you do qualify for help if you are going to receive either of those.

Those who I know in this situation have all put their older child down to one day a week at the nursery to keep their place open while they are on leave.

How old is DC1? Could they move to a preschool instead, which is considerably cheaper than a nursery? I guess the issue then could be signing both children up again for nursery if/ when you return to work again so you’d just have to see what the nursery say about hat and whether they can offer a place again, eg in a year’s time