Childcare for special needs child?

[roseapothecary]

I had a job interview today for a part-time job. I was hoping it was 5 shorter days but I asked in the interview and it is 3 full days.
I have a SN 4 year old who gets dropped back from their specialist provision in a taxi at half 3. I wouldn’t finish until half 4 so even if offered the job I can't take it. I don't have any extended family who can help. Last year I had a childminder, but now he is school age I am realising I am not going to be able to work.
Is there anyone else in a similar position with any ideas? Do I have to just accept not working again?

Many childminders do before and after school care. You might find one who can cater to your sons needs. The school may know of someone?

i have used a cm for my school aged kids with sn. How significant are his needs op?

Have you got DLA? Have you got everything else you are entitled to which can help on the money side?

A friend of mine has had an issue that Transport wouldn't drop off at a childminder, only the home address. Our local transport services are a nightmare though so may not be the case with your local authority.

If you are offered the job you could ask (perhaps put it in writing) if they can consider 5 shorter days.

It's probably a reasonable adjustment if the work can be done in 5 shorter days. If it's covering a reception that is open longer hours for example then probably not. But do ask. Even if they say no explain your position and ask them to bear you in mind if another suitable position comes up. I'm sorry it's so hard.

Yes he gets HRC DLA, he is non verbal and hearing impaired. No diagnosis but likely autistic. We were told the taxi will only drop him at home address. His nursery is 20 miles away so I don't think the teachers there would be able to help much.
If they offer me the job I will ask about the shorter days which I should be able to manage fine. The job is term time only so holidays would be no problem

Often the taxi will drop at ONE address but it doesn't have to be the home address - you could check if it will drop at the CM.
Another alternative is a babysitter/nanny (if you are in an area with high unemployment - we are not and have found it impossible to find a babysitter after school). We had one previously that would bring DS home from school as he had no after school club, but have been struggling to find a replacement since she left.

If there is any other SN school local to your home address you could try contacting them and asking if they could place an advert in their staff room for an after school babysitter/PA. It might appeal to a Teaching Assistant who is looking to earn more money.

You could ask the same at his nursery.

You can employ a nanny to look after him in your home and your council will give you some money towards this if it is whilst you are working. It won't cover the whole amount but it helps. We found someone on childcare.co.uk or you could try local pa services.

I got offered the job today and had to turn it down 😔 they couldn't do shorter/more days. I think for any jobs in the future I will ask before I apply about the finishing time.

I had to give up my job because of lack of childcare for my disabled son 😩

Sorry to hear that OP. So dissapointing for you x

Perhaps you could also look into work at home jobs. I'm not suggesting you can work and take care of your child but if you could find a childminder that could come to your house at least your child could be dropped off safely at home by school transport if childcare fell through. If childminder was a young adult etc you have piece of mind that you are around.

Hope you find something that works for you x

That’s such a shame OP, I’m sorry your potential employer couldn’t accommodate you.

Is there any chance your ds will be able to move up to a school closer to home any time soon? Sometimes special schools have after school clubs and staff willing to do extra care, so I hope it doesn’t always have to be so difficult for you.

What area are you in? In all the areas I have lived there is a charity or a company that covers the area and matches people with additional needs with part time carers/babysitters.
There are often kids looking for an hour after school everyday or four hours on a saturday etc
Otherwise special school TAs or uni/college students especially ones studing childcare, teaching or nursing are often looking for small part time work like that.

He will be going to a more local school from next September but I presume I won't get transport then so will have to be dropping him off and picking him up. They don't have an after school club.
I live in South Staffordshire.

Just a technical point, if they come to your house they are a babysitter or nanny. A childminder works in their own home.
If you are WFH and can do pickup you could take your DC to a CM near the school and then go back to work - we've done that for a while. Or if you have a job that can be on site and then finish off later in the evening.

OP, are you getting carers allowance etc? I am only now able to work school hours now that my DS has started secondary. No way could I have worked as a lone parent before then. It was relentless. It's really difficult to find childcare provision too. I had two experienced childminders say that they were unable to continue with him. It was nobody's fault, just bloody difficult.

I agree with pp. Childminders often can't make the ratios work as they need less other children. We did manage to find some sort of support money when we used a child minder but it was about ten years ago so may not exist any more.

I feel for you op. I also have a child with a disability (plus a younger child) and it’s impossible to find a job that would pay enough to cover nursery fees and the special care older child would need. I hope you a find way.

Don’t assume you won’t get transport when your ds starts school. The school might be able to help you with the right things to say in the application. I’m not in your area but here it’s based on need, not distance.

Did you explore an after school nanny who could look after your child in your home?

Try Koru Kids, local Facebook childcare groups, local nurseries and schools who might have assistants looking for additional work. Ask everyone you know if they know anyone suitable? Would the taxi chaperone by interested in additional hours (if practical). What about local childcare students who’d appreciate a job and a chance to get some experience).

From my experience attitude is often more useful than experience when looking for someone to support a child with additional needs so think creatively.

I know it’s harder but it IS possible. Good luck!