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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To quit my job...

26 replies

ohdeerohdear · 04/02/2024 00:14

...due to lack of childcare?
I'm a teacher. I currently rely on my DH, childminder and after school club twice a week for our primary school aged children. The childminder does mornings but is stopping after half term. There is no space at breakfast club (been on waiting list since June). There are no more places available at the after school club. Basically we're screwed. I've contacted 5 other childminders and they're all full. My DH can only take and pick them up for some of the time because he works. I can't do any school runs on my teaching days (4 days a week). Can't believe our primary has let us down so much with lack of places that I'm going to have to resign. Can anyone relate to this? I can ask friends for the odd favour here and there but nothing regular. I guess I could ask my employer if I could start late twice a week. That would help. They are likely to say no though.

OP posts:
Merryoldgoat · 04/02/2024 00:18

Do you have anything like Koru Kids near you?

ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine · 04/02/2024 00:19

I think if it's a choice of let you start late or lose you altogether your boss might be inclined to agree to the late start. Can you DH not ask his boss if he can start late? It should be all on you.

Original poster
ohdeerohdear · 04/02/2024 00:20

We've got 4 mornings to cover and 2 picks ups so I think my DH will have to split this and hope bosses agree.

OP posts:
NuffSaidSam · 04/02/2024 00:21

Have you advertised locally for someone to take them to school? You might find someone looking for a couple of hours work in the morning.

ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine · 04/02/2024 00:24

I'm sorry you've been put in this position. If the breakfast club has such a big waiting list they should get an extra member of staff so they can take on more kids. That's what my children's school did. It's all about the staff to child ratio. It's ridiculous not to expand something that could bring in more money for the school.

Original poster
ohdeerohdear · 04/02/2024 00:24

Kids would need to be in their house though for 45mins before school so would only consider an actual childminder.

OP posts:
Original poster
ohdeerohdear · 04/02/2024 00:25

ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine · 04/02/2024 00:24

I'm sorry you've been put in this position. If the breakfast club has such a big waiting list they should get an extra member of staff so they can take on more kids. That's what my children's school did. It's all about the staff to child ratio. It's ridiculous not to expand something that could bring in more money for the school.

They say they can't get the staff. Once I'm unemployed... they could hire me!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
ohdeerohdear · 04/02/2024 00:25

Merryoldgoat · 04/02/2024 00:18

Do you have anything like Koru Kids near you?

Too far away

OP posts:
Original poster
ohdeerohdear · 04/02/2024 00:26

Our primary school are already aware that I may have to quit my job because they won't expand. They simple wont do it.

OP posts:
Mimami · 04/02/2024 00:28

Have you considered moving your children to a school with spaces in breakfast club?

Original poster
ohdeerohdear · 04/02/2024 00:30

No because that would be horrendous for them as they are both KS2 and have solid friendships groups.

OP posts:
Merryoldgoat · 04/02/2024 00:37

How old is KS2? Are they too young to go home alone for an hour or so?

SouthLondonMum22 · 04/02/2024 00:40

Any nurseries that do breakfast club/after school club?

Original poster
ohdeerohdear · 04/02/2024 00:41

Merryoldgoat · 04/02/2024 00:37

How old is KS2? Are they too young to go home alone for an hour or so?

Aged 8 and 9 so too young.

OP posts:
Merryoldgoat · 04/02/2024 00:43

What a load of bollocks OP - it’s so stressful when it’s all so finely balanced - there’s just no give.

Original poster
ohdeerohdear · 04/02/2024 00:43

SouthLondonMum22 · 04/02/2024 00:40

Any nurseries that do breakfast club/after school club?

I need an adult to do the school run though

OP posts:
Original poster
ohdeerohdear · 04/02/2024 00:44

Merryoldgoat · 04/02/2024 00:43

What a load of bollocks OP - it’s so stressful when it’s all so finely balanced - there’s just no give.

Thank you

OP posts:
justasking111 · 04/02/2024 00:45

Any mums you know who would like to earn some money by doing the school run for you. I would have appreciated that at one stage

Feliciacat · 04/02/2024 00:46

y

Original poster
ohdeerohdear · 04/02/2024 00:47

This is probably the most feasible option. I'd need to have a think about who I could ask though as it's not just taking them to school. They'd have to look after them for 45mins too. With the chaos in my house getting ready, there's no way I could handle two extra kids. This idea I can give some thought to

OP posts:
Anneta · 04/02/2024 00:47

Do either of your children have a friend with a SAHM/D who may be willing to add your children to the school run and look after them before / after school for suitable payment?

Hankunamatata · 04/02/2024 00:48

Day cares around here all do primary pick ups and drop offs. It will be pricey and children may be some of the older there bit would see you through until you can get something for September

SouthLondonMum22 · 04/02/2024 00:49

ohdeerohdear · 04/02/2024 00:43

I need an adult to do the school run though

Show quote history

My son's nursery collect from the local school and take them to the nursery for after school club. Might be worth to see if any of your nurseries do that, especially if you know one close to your children's school.

I'd also ask school friends and offer to pay them.

Lovelyjubblydrinkingbubbly · 04/02/2024 02:16

The school haven't let you down. They aren't a childcare service anymore than your own school is. It's incredibly hard to get support staff in schools these days as school budgets are so tight (as you know) and wages are low. The existing support staff might not be able to do extra and may have children of their own to get to school in the morning. A crap situation but it's not their fault.

MarjorieDanvers · 04/02/2024 06:59

As mentioned above, I put an advert in the jobs section of our local paper looking for someone to be at our house by 8 - take kids to school and pick up and bring home and stay till 6. One woman replied offering to have kids but in her own home. It turned out she lived around the corner from us and on our walk to the station - was the perfect solution for 5 years!

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