No more 30 hours free childcare

[tipiipit]

Not an AIBU but I'm in a right state and just needed somewhere to come to cry basically

I'm a single mum to a 3 year old, expecting a baby in April too.

Won't be getting maternity pay as haven't been in my current job long enough, so saved up lots of money and I also get a student loan.

Have just found out my 3 YO will no longer be eligible for 30 hours free childcare once I finish at work.

I'm absolutely heartbroken cannot stop crying. I just presumed he'd continue to get 30 hours free I had no idea that you had to be in employment. Feeling like an idiot. A very poor idiot. No idea what to do. (Was planning on staying at uni after baby was born, taking baby in with me when I could and 3YO going to nursery. But now I can't afford for him to go to nursery, but if I can't go to uni I won't get a student loan which means I have no money. I know a few people who take babies into classes but I couldn't take my 3YO that wouldn't be fair on anyone.)

What am I going to do

They will still get 15 hours pre school funding won't they? (Assuming they are the term after 3rd bday?)

If you’re just on maternity leave, not handing in your resignation, surely that doesn’t affect your childcare? Who told you you wouldn’t get the 30 hours any more?

Have you checked if you are entitled to maternity allowance?

Where’s the father of the 3 year old and baby? Is he contributing financially and have you pursued this?
Can family or friends help look after the older on temporarily?

Would he not get 15 hours? Sorry if different as I am in Scotland and all kids get 15 hours regardless of parenrs working

www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/eligibility

You will still have 15 free hours - will that help at all?

I thought you still got the 30 hours if studying?

I have no idea about the 30 hours or how that works in regards to being on maternity leave I’m afraid, but your 3yr old is definitely entitled to 15 free hours a week regardless. That might help a little bit?

Studying does not count towards the free hours unless you work as well unfortunately- you have to be in paid employment.

Have you double checked maternity allowance as it’s not dependent on your
Current job.

Why not check this before you got pregnant? And the hours aren't really free, they are paid for by the tax payer.

Circumstances where you may still be eligible

You can use 30 hours free childcare if you're already getting Universal Credit or tax credits, and you can still apply for 30 hours free childcare if you or your partner:

are taking paid time off work, such as maternity leave, paternity
leave or sick leave
are temporarily away from England for a period of up to 6 months, such as if you're in the military (on duty)

Who told you that you won't get the childcare when in maternity leave?

You can still get the 30 hours on mat leave childcare-support.tax.service.gov.uk/moreinfopar/2/?returnURL=%2F

If you use and pay for the childcare the week before you start your ML you are entitled to carry on using it with childcare element if you qualify for the entire 39 weeks you are on SMP/ma

Don’t panic OP, as others have said you may be entitled to something
However, you should really have checked beforehand if it’s so vital - still, too late now so fingers crossed you will be ok

Sorry you are in such a pickle. But....where is the dad? Have you double checked re 3 year old. Go to Citizens Advice and ask. Ask at the nursery.

Are you allowed to become a full-time student when you are on maternity leave?

Regardless, if you are on maternity leave, surely you are still considered in employment?

YOu still get 30 hours when you're on maternity leave. But if you're studying and not in paid employment that may be different. I'll be on maternity leave when my DD starts with her 30 hours per week in September.

How on earth can you take a baby into classes? And shouldn't you have thought all this through before becoming pregnant again

Are you studying something you want to study, or just to get the loan? If it's the latter (as you implied in post 2) there are better ways of getting money; could you be a nanny/childminder whilst looking after your two?

If you're studying at uni you will get a childcare grant if your household income is low enough.

Call Student Finance and ask the to send you the forms.

Good luck.

About to say what cliffdiver has just suggested. Also some unis have creches/nurseries on site and have bursaries/access funds to help cover the fees. Some unis also have "dependent" grants/bursaries available for those with children and non working partners and bursaries for those on low income (although often these are paid in the second and third trimesters) check out the website for your uni and you could contact student services for advice.

If your in paid employment that meets the stipulations and you go on maternity leave you get the 30hrs, if not everyone has 15hrs I think. You need to get it in writing from the university that its OK to take the baby in with you regularly as other wise this could end up being another nasty suprise. CAB are good to speak to about negotiating any benefits you may be entitled to during this time xxx

Really helpful comments regarding op having thought this through before she got pregnant . Judgey much?