to be annoyed that nursery have withdrawn my childcare provision

[umptyflump]

DS2 aged two goes to school nursery one day a week, which I pay for while I work. I cram in another couple of days over the course of a week, over part of two further days and some evening and weekend work. It is a really small school and they have only just started doing two year old places (six months ago). DS has been there from the start of that (and is the only child who has been there that long). Today they told me that as of a week on Monday, the place on a Monday is unavailable as they are not employing the person on that day as some parents' hours have changed and there's now no demand for the places. The alternative days don't work for me, as part of two days I have cover from family which fits in with their and my commitments, the other two I don't work and DS has activities. I need cover on Monday. I said I might be able to move to Thursday if I can persuade FIL/MIL to move to Monday, but MIL works on a Monday. Apparently they will try but it is full. AIBU to be fucking furious annoyed? In the interests of not drip feeding, the head and I disagree on quite a few issues as she's not keen on points of view that differ from her own However it isn't personal :) DS will start pre-school nursery at the school in September.

How much would it cost them to have an extra TA in the room for your son? I wonder if you could temporarily pay a proportion of that? So if it costs say £70, you pay half? I know it's expensive but it's only temporary until your son turns 3 and keeps you going, and they have another member of staff who can also do other things, they wouldn't be 1-1 for your son.

Alternatively can you rearrange your working days and DS activities, your OP says the other two I don't work and DS has activities - would your employer be open to your moving days until DS is 3 and are there activities DS could do on a Monday instead?

The lack of notice is absolutely ludicrous. It should be at least one month and when my son was at nursery it was 2 months. Not great if you lose your job but I had a 3 month notice period at work.

It's really difficult for you but honestly, schools just absolutely not have spare money to support services that aren't being used. Their staff are more expensive to employ than private nursery staff, child minders, etc. Schools frequently subsidise nursery places from mainstream school funding, even if there are paying parents; the rates paid by the LA for funded children don't cover the cost of the provision. And unless they offer a longer day they are not that attractive as childcare propositions for most working parents. Whose working day finishes at 2.30?! This may well be why there's no demand.

This is one of the main disadvantages of living in a rural area, unfortunately. You can't expect the same level of service provision as you'd get in an urban area.

Set up as a childminder?! there's obviously a need.