Forming a Childcare bubble

[Moonandstars25]

We have been moved into tier 4 (really fed up given our rate is lower than elsewhere in tier 3 and even some in tier 2) but anyway. I am starting back at work next week and we were going to form a childcare bubble with my mum. I have checked this is still allowed in tier 4. We were going to use the Xmas bubble as a way of getting DS used to be left with my mum and so my mum could get used to his routine. Obviously that now can’t happen. She has suggested that we form the childcare bubble early so she can have him for a few hours on her own a couple of times. I’ll drop him with her and go home but will essentially be on call in case it all goes to pot. It will also give me a chance to get some rest as DS isn’t sleeping well at night and DH is away so I’m pretty exhausted at the moment. AIBU to do this? She is low risk, works as a nurse and is tested weekly for covid so it isn’t me putting an elderly relative at risk.

I think you need to right. Just stay out her way ( ie you can’t use it as company).

@LouiseTrees Yes would stay away- I would drop him at her house and go so wouldn’t be mixing. I’m just worried as it isn’t strictly for work purposes this week but will be moving forward. If he was a month younger we could have formed a support bubble. My friend’s DS was 1 on the 4th December so they have one and can keep it. Yet I can’t form one despite my son being comparatively the same and developmentally actually slightly behind.

Is your baby still under 1? You could form a support bubble as a parent with a child under 1. But if forming it as a childcare bubble I agree that you yourself need to limit the time spent when dropping off and try not to touch things/get too close to your mum. The do you do that I think you can comfortably feel you are operating within the rules and within the spirit of what the rules are meant for. Good luck starting back at work too.

You can only use the childcare bubble for essential childcare and you cannot be present at the time, so you can only do so when you and DH are both working out of the house.

@Caterinaballerina unfortunately not. He is 13 months. Missed the deadline for a support bubble by a month.

@StatisticalSense he would be at my mums house so neither DH or I would be around. I wouldn’t be at work next week but will be moving forward. I just don’t think either my mum or I feel comfortable with him never having been left with her before to being left for 9 hours with no back up plan if he is distraught. When he starts nursery he will have settle in sessions where I am not at work so this would be along that principle. He is starting nursery but as I am a shift worker my mum also has to help when my shifts finish later than nursery closes and he isn’t starting there until next month.

@StatisticalSense
No where does it say essential if out of the house. Where have you got that from?!
You can form a childcare bubble if child is under 13.
You can form a support bubble for a child under 1 on 2nd December.
You qualify for both.
Just be sensible and careful OP.

@StatisticalSense

You can only use the childcare bubble for essential childcare and you cannot be present at the time, so you can only do so when you and DH are both working out of the house.

I don’t think that’s right. I thought you can have a childcare bubble if you work from home as well. In general you’d expect to be able to use in the same way you do formal childcare and you are still able to do things like settling in sessions there

WB205020
She doesn't qualify for both. Her child is 13 months so she doesn't meet the criteria for a support bubble (which is silly imo but then I'm not in government).

She qualifies for a childcare bubble so one other household, in this case her mum, can provide childcare to a child under 13.

My sister and husband work from home and have a childcare bubble with my parents as do we. We drop off and pick up in a car park half way between our houses and then go our separate ways for the day. They absolutely would not be able to work if they had the kids at home during the day! This is totally within the childcare bubble rules

[quote Moonandstars25]@Caterinaballerina unfortunately not. He is 13 months. Missed the deadline for a support bubble by a month.

@StatisticalSense he would be at my mums house so neither DH or I would be around. I wouldn’t be at work next week but will be moving forward. I just don’t think either my mum or I feel comfortable with him never having been left with her before to being left for 9 hours with no back up plan if he is distraught. When he starts nursery he will have settle in sessions where I am not at work so this would be along that principle. He is starting nursery but as I am a shift worker my mum also has to help when my shifts finish later than nursery closes and he isn’t starting there until next month.[/quote]
I would say its important he goes there before you go to work as you are essentially mentally and probably also physically preparing for returning to work

@Notsofast1

My sister and husband work from home and have a childcare bubble with my parents as do we. We drop off and pick up in a car park half way between our houses and then go our separate ways for the day. They absolutely would not be able to work if they had the kids at home during the day! This is totally within the childcare bubble rules

That isn't allowed. A childcare bubble must be between two households only. So your DM can't have your children and DS's, even on separate days .

Thank you for the opinions.
I think we will start a week early. I will be dropping him at the door and not going inside. Will also wear a mask to be safe.

Crack on.

Sounds just like the settling in sessions my ds did at nursery in September. Seems completely sensible imo

I have also been leaving DS2 with DM even though I don't start working until Jan (although technically we are also a support bubble as he's under 1)

I'm doing it to settle him in too, otherwise he's going to be pretty upset when he's suddenly at DMs 8am-6pm 5 days a week!

(Only for a few weeks! we've got a nursery place from Feb)

That plan sounds really sensible. He needs some time to get used to her.

@LolaSmiles
Apologies. I misread where OP put her friends dc was 1 on 4th December. I thought that was OPs child.