Childcare help

[Shopkinsdoll]

My partner and kids dad he’s an electrician, is back to work full time. I’m being furloughed just now from my warehouse job. I usually work 9-3 Monday to Thursday, which is perfect. I have a feeling I’m going back to work in a few weeks. But also panicking about childcare. Both of us aren’t key workers so not entitled to free childcare. Both grandparents look after them on holidays and we just use annual leave during summer holidays. I don’t know what I’m going to do as we are in Scotland and not going back to school till August 11th. Kids are 9 and 8.

I don't know the specifics of childcare in Scotland, but childminder or nanny? You wouldn't need a proper nanny, more of a babysitter given the children are older and it's only for a few hours.

Alternatively, if Grandparents are low risk you could ask them to do it.

Also, I think you can ask for your furlough to be extended if you have childcare issues. Maybe worth looking into that.

No answers but I think loads of families (and mostly women) are screwed right now. I'm in a similar position, expected to go back to work but no childcare available. No childminders or nannies to be had due to the big increase in demand. I think we're going to be discussing this a lot over the coming weeks.

When are your childminders allowed to open up to everyone? In England I have been having keyworkers children all the way through but from 1st June I can open up to any families. The childcare for keyworkers is not free in England they pay full fees with all childminders it’s only if they got a space in there school would it be free

I know it’s a hard one. My work is quite family friendly so they might understand. Iv never had to rely on childminders before. The grandparents usually take them a week each on the summer holidays. But we have always worked round school holidays with my shifts and annual leave. My partner earns prob three times what I do so I feel like it all falls on me to sort it out. I’ll have to look into a childminder If push comes to shove. But what I earn with prob pay for it so I’ll have no wages left. But I suppose it’s not going to be forever and I need my job and love it too

Reading this on parentclub.scot and the School FAQ which says about summer holiday care, it looks to me that there are no firm plans at this stage to open childcare in Scotland beyond that currently being provided for keyworkers.

Once childcare settings are open, if you can find suitable local registered childcare, then you could use the Tax-Free Childcare scheme to help with the cost. MyGov.Scot Help With Childcare Costs

Also very worried about this issue.

Update
Spoken to my boss and he’s arranged for a late twighlight shift 6 till 10 pm. So that’s a bit of a relief. There is about 10 of us doing it. I’m so happy!!