Another childcare rant - how do people do it?!

[SMLSML]

If you and your partner both work how do you manage childcare? My eldest started school in September and prior to this we had wraparound care in nursery. We now use after school club, however this is committee led and we've just had an email saying it's at risk of closure due to not enough volunteers. If you don't use after school club how do families make it work? Do grandparents help 5 days a week? Honestly sick of this country not helping working parents 🫠 the irony of parents needing to be on the committee to keep it open when you're already busy working and juggling a million other school bits and pieces is hilarious to me also 😅 it's something I'd love to be part of but have no idea how if find time... Any and all advice welcome!

Yes the Committee is responsible for it.
We have a manager who deals with tons of stuff inc all the day to day stuff.

But if nobody wants to take the responsibily then it cannot operate.
Having a committee also means its not for profit.

The alternative is somebody will see a need for afterschool provision and start it up as a profit making business.
However that will need higher fees to cover profit and probably higher rent charities often get reduced rent as they are NFP.

Sensible immigration policies can address population needs. Also systemic reforms that don’t rely on an ever-increasing number of human beings on an already overcrowded Earth.

So rich Brits who can afford to have a none working parent or a very part time parent are allowed to procreate? And poor people who have to work full time shouldn’t? And the gaps that will create in the work force in future should be filled by immigration? Is that what you are saying?

We don’t have family willing to help out and have an older DC who has medical needs so it was difficult getting paid childcare.

DH retired early and was the sahp for about 10 years. Then I had a breakdown and gave up my job and Dh went back. So we basically tag teamed it. It was never ideal though!

Well, sensible immigration policies lead to a significant number of workers in the care sector in general - medical, social, elderly. Would be odd if the childcare industry didn't also benefit

(of course, Brexit much reduced one route to the in-home care of children of school age i.e. the au pair, though appreciate that a spare room is required)

@MoreDangerousThanAWomanScorned
that’s probably right. Where I am there were quite a few but often still booked up so hard to get places with!

but just thinking of the more villages not far from me maybe only have 1 so even more in demand.

definitely less people wanting to do it now.

@Needspaceforlego
i didn’t necessarily mean chipping in a few quid. I meant offering time but if all the parents who need this get together it may be less time overall. For example they may attend every other meeting rather than every meeting and it might be more achievable if all the parents help.

@crossedlinesthankyou. I was trying to do just that and summarise the practical and actual possible solutions available. Even if they are a bit far fetched (e.g move house or school, not simple but it is an option)

unfortunately there is no easy or simple solution. And it may be that the OP is just sounding off which is fine. But thought it was worth offering what I can see as actual possible solutions to the problem.

Noones going to want to come somewhere they cant afford child care when places where they can afford childcare exist. Lots of countries have less than replacement level births and they are going to be competing for the best immigration at some point.

My dc are in private school and we can pick them up until 6pm. No charge for this, I’m sure it’s worked into the price though. Not every child uses it though. My dc don’t use it but great for the days that we can’t do pickup.

It's really really fucking hard. Everyone finds it hard, you're not alone.

It’s really difficult OP. A real juggle and financial commitment.

in your shoes, I’d join the committee. The more people that join the committee, the further to spread of responsibility. I’d consider it as a positive to put on my CV too. To be honest, what other choice do you have?

one thing that might help - does your employer support staff volunteering? Some do and give time off for volunteering. It’s worth checking.

Not everyone does.
Many people have family support.
Many people do have access to good wraparound care.

I urge you to look at school holiday provision OP and come up with a plan. I plan out the following year and tell DH what he needs to book. Frankly DC are in holiday clubs and we take off the weeks there’s nothing running.

Around me a lot of holiday clubs have closed because people wfh with their kids watching tv (I sympathise- £25 a child a day for football camp soon adds up) but companies want people back in the office 2-3 days a week around here and the demand will come back. My employer can and does ask for childcare arrangements for young children- the odd emergency is one thing but 6 weeks of wfh with a 5 year old is another!

@MoreDangerousThanAWomanScorned that's a very good point about lack of demand for ASC in the wake of increased wfh. It’s true for sure – I have many colleagues who will pick up their kids and then go back to their desk. I’m thinking this will not help the OP. @SMLSML what are other ASC users planning to do? Can you get together with them and see if a group of you can support the running of the club?

And yy what is your plan for the school holidays? Unless you and DH have 13 weeks of holiday between you (which is possible but unlikely) or one of you works in a school, it’s a massive issue tbh.

No family help here. Our primary had a breakfast club from 8am and an after-school club til 6pm. We were sad that DC were there for that long 5 days a week, but we had no other choice 😪

And then days/weeks when DC were sick, inset days, half-terms, xmas, easter, summer hols were all a nightmare 😫

I stand by what I said, can’t be up to schools to look after children after or before hours, what about parents who work weekends or nights? Wouldn’t expect schools to look after their children around those times would they?

Many people have different working arrangements and geographical/time constraints

Op has access to good quality wrap around childcare, and the option to influnce how it runs, inc over holidays, but she doesnt want to get involved to keep it going.

@SMLSML when you were planning your dcs who did you think would be paying for daytime care while you were working?

The child is at school, OP pays for after school club. She is not objecting to paying.

We coped by me being a SAHP and now working part time. My partner also has a job that’s a little bit more flexible which helps with the one day a week where I can’t do pick up.

Honestly sick of this country not helping working parents 🫠

I don't think it's 'this country's' fault-this is something you as a family need to sort out.

the irony of parents needing to be on the committee to keep it open when you're already busy working and juggling a million other school bits and pieces is hilarious to me also 😅

Hilarious?

it's something I'd love to be part of but have no idea how if find time...Any and all advice welcome!

I would be emailing into the committee and say you are desperate for the after school club to continue as you don't actually know what you would do if it closed so really want to find a way to help. Ask what the committee needs, what commitment it is and how often/when.

Have you done anything like that?

Totally agree. The key thing here is that the committee are the employers and that brings with it a whole extra set of responsibilities. Not saying don't do it, but definitely go in with your eyes open.

Particularly watch out if it's set up as an unincorporated charity, as this means the committee members are personally liable, both jointly and severally, for any legal or financial responsibilities. So for example, if it closes down and staff need to be made redundant, if there isn't enough money in the bank account to pay the redundancy then the committee members are personally liable for the rest. (Charities aren't eligible for the government fund that ensures redundancy is paid when companies go bust, so there's no help from there.) So it's vital that a suitable reserve is being held.

This sort of thing is far more complex than attending an hour's meeting a month suggests. And it's different from the responsibilities of a school governor as they aren't direct employers.