Forgot to secure afterschool club

[AlertEagle]

Just as the title says I’ve just gone through my emails and I could see a provisional offer for wraparound care. I’ve paid all the remaining costs from the previous year but forgot to transfer the money to secure the place. Im panicking so much. Ive been through a significant level of stress lately and Im a single parent. Im scared I will have to leave my job from September. Ive got no one but wraparound care to help me and holiday clubs. Ive sent an email but I know no one will see it until the school year starts. Im scared to take my child to breakfast club when I know I havent secured the place unless I ask for an adhoc on the day but then I would need afterschool club as well Im so stressed I cried how could I make this stupid mistake im so scared

It is so easy to miss an email. Can you look into childminders or an after school nanny as backup? We found an older lady who wanted part time work and looked after my 2 dds after school over a couple of years.

if local childcare is hard to find, you could also see if another family wants a nanny share or childcare swap arrangement

The reason im relying on school only its because i dont have a childminder near me, there is only one who does drops off and pick ups from our school but shes overbooked I ask her every school year because she lives right next to my house but she cant. Cant afford a nanny unfortunately Im really acared it school doesnt have a space. There is no one in the office and fhey open the first day im back to work jm so stressed i cant relax im literally shaking with anxiety

Is the after school club usually fully booked or are there usually spaces? If it’s usually fully booked you may have a problem as they’ve probably given your space away if you didn’t secure it, but if there’s usually spaces then it’ll probably be fine and you can just phone them to secure it on the first day back.

Their breakfast club is not very popular and they have spaces, their fridays are also not very busy but rest of the week is which is understandable. When my child joined the school I waited 6 months for a space and work agreed to it but they wont agree a second time especially when I have made the mistake. I cant seem to forgive myself for making this stupid mistake. Im usually good and always pay all school fees on time and in advance how could i do this. We are going on a trip tomorrow and i cant relax at all i know i could lose my job and we are screwed im a single parent its already hard as it is

Dont panic. Schools often check mailboxes during school holidays. They will get back to you

Please don’t be too anxious and your employer would not be in the right to sack you based on you not having childcare- . And they would have to give you time to find some childcare again they wouldn’t just suck you on the spot number one that’s against the law on number two it will be completely unethical
you can ask for a flexible working request if you did not get a space but it’s highly unlikely the whole school will be absolutely booked up by the first day of the new term. You will be surprised how many people don’t secure a space until the new term in September . I think you’ll be absolutely fine there’s nothing you can do about it right now in terms of getting a reply so enjoy the rest of the school holidays. Stop beating yourself up take a deep breath and do some nice things together with you and your child x

Do you think someone will answer if I ring them on Monday in September. It says its a school training day(closed to students) does it mean someone will be there. Im panicking because i have to go back on a Wednesday and thats when the school is opening so if we turn up for breakfast club rhey might send us away

im so scared i cant believe i made this mistake how stupid of me

Is there an education board in your area linked to your council? They are open 9-5 like council offices are, maybe contact them as they might have the same system and be able to take the deposit and secure the place if your child is in public school?

Yes there will very likely be someone there, the training day is for the staff so they will have staff onsite and probably the office/admin team too.

I know how easy it is to make this kind of mistake, and how gut wrenching it is when you spot it. I'm sorry, it's a horrible feeling.

Please try to get some sleep I think you will feel more clear headed. Maybe write yourself an action plan to help you feel in control? Things like a reminder to call on 1st Monday in September, maybe put a message on local WhatsApp or other groups to see if anyone could help with temp childcare (eg in our area there are some older teens who do ad hoc and regular babysitting), book them in for the first week in case you need it while you sort the place. Any school parents who might be able to help with playdates? Make a list of any things you can think of, and put it aside for tomorrow. Nothing more you can do tonight but there are quite a few weeks to find temporary solutions if you need them.

I received an email from school this week, and I replied and got a response!

So there might not be an immediate response, but you might not have to wait until September.

I do stuff like this quite a lot and 9/10 times it all turns out okay!

I Will have a look but our school runs their own wraparound care so not sure if they will be able to.

My plan is to call them when they are back in the office and ask if the place can be secured and if now I wonder if they would allow me to book it on an ad hoc basis, although that will run my pockets dry.

and thank you for your comment it was hard to sleep because it’s such a careless mistake I worry about my job my manager isn’t very understanding.

I hope threre is someone but when I have emailed before during summer breaks no one answers.

The first inset day in September usually involves Safeguarding training update so most school staff should be in. But many schools will check some emails over the holidays as some work will be done over the holidays so someone might pick up your email before school goes back

? You've just reminded me to book mine tomorrow. I've forgotten numerous times and just called them up and they've added me on (even when it says it's sold out). Worth a go.

The first time I I missed it I didn't call. We arranged for a babysitter to come round 3 days a week and the rest of the week we juggled with tv and my MIL came down for a week.

Can you book annual leave or parental leave for the first week of term? it might give you some time to get things sorted.

I might be able to secure the first week as a holiday but if they dont have any spaces im screwed. Im so upset because it is such a careless mistake that can cost me so much. Ive never been unemployed and as a single parent this is one of my biggest fears.

Mine is different its run by the school staff and you have to apply for it and then wait for confirmation etc

I really hope so im so upset for making this mistake. I cant forgive myself

Staff often check their emails over the holidays. Do you have a named one rather than just the generic? Mark it urgent and explain the situation. They may be able to forward to the appropriate person. Good luck.

Oh OP, these things happen, and it’s so horrible you can’t just check to see if all is okay.

Am i right that your child is already in wrap around care? Would you have needed to give notice to give up the place?

Its an email specifically for the afterschool club, I doubt it will be checked over the holidays though

already in wraparound care but had to confirm that he will do the same days for next school year. I applied and got the provisional offer but forgot to send the deposit and didnt get a confirmation email to say he has a place because of it. Which means someone else could have taken his place because i didnt secure it with the deposit

Headteacher here- some admin staff will work over parts of the summer, and SLT will check emails so email everyone you can think of. I hope you get it sorted soon so that you can feel more relaxed