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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Going to have to leave my job because of childcare

27 replies

Alicew00 · 30/05/2023 21:39

I'm not even sure if there if the one childminder who can drop off and pick up has any spaces for my child but she only works til half 5 and I work til 6pm 2 nights a week. My sister who was my main support is moving an hour away. I am totally ruined. I love my new job I've only been there for 6 months and I'm gonna have to leave because I put my details in the government website and it said I'll only get 960 pound a year towards help for 7 year old. I don't know what I'm gonna do :-(

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HadalyEve · 30/05/2023 21:50

You have a right to flexible working. I would approach my manager and ask for a different work schedule that fits around the child care I can get.

Original poster
Alicew00 · 30/05/2023 21:52

I don't know if they'll allow it. I work for the NHS

OP posts:
AndTheSurveySays · 30/05/2023 21:52

No, she doesn't have a right to flexible working. She can request flexible working but her work don't have to agree to it.

nobodygoesdowninthejungle · 30/05/2023 21:53

Have you asked your cm if she's be happy to do an extra 30 mins twice a week? We'd been using our cm for a year when I asked this question. By that stage, the cm knew my children were well behaved, got on with her's, that I turned up on time and paid on time. I explained that I was quite happy for them to just watch CBBC or something easy and she agreed to do it.

ThatsNotGoodMelon · 30/05/2023 21:53

HadalyEve · 30/05/2023 21:50

You have a right to flexible working. I would approach my manager and ask for a different work schedule that fits around the child care I can get.

No she doesn't. That's really unhelpful.

KateyCuckoo · 30/05/2023 21:55

nobodygoesdowninthejungle · 30/05/2023 21:53

Have you asked your cm if she's be happy to do an extra 30 mins twice a week? We'd been using our cm for a year when I asked this question. By that stage, the cm knew my children were well behaved, got on with her's, that I turned up on time and paid on time. I explained that I was quite happy for them to just watch CBBC or something easy and she agreed to do it.

It would be at least an hour extra surely?

Original poster
Alicew00 · 30/05/2023 21:56

But only 960 a year help? I'll be spending everything I have left over in the month to pay someone to have my DD

OP posts:
TeaKitten · 30/05/2023 21:57

Are you totally sure you can’t get UC?

TeaKitten · 30/05/2023 21:58

And how much would childcare cost?

KateyCuckoo · 30/05/2023 21:58

Alicew00 · 30/05/2023 21:56

But only 960 a year help? I'll be spending everything I have left over in the month to pay someone to have my DD

Plus 20% off using tax free childcare.

Original poster
Alicew00 · 30/05/2023 22:00

I get help from UC too does that mean I'll get more help?

OP posts:
Original poster
Alicew00 · 30/05/2023 22:00

But then I did put that I get UC on the government website and it still came up with same amount

OP posts:
TeaKitten · 30/05/2023 22:01

If you get UC they pay 85% of childcare costs (if ofsted registered) up to (at a guess) roughly £650 a month, that figure may be higher

Original poster
Alicew00 · 30/05/2023 22:02

Oh do they? I need to ask them and find out more

OP posts:
TeaKitten · 30/05/2023 22:05

How much will you pay per month for childcare?

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 30/05/2023 22:06

Starting point is a flexible working request with potentially different options

  • earlier shift so you finish earlier
  • reduced hours so you dont need the childcare
  • compressed hours so you need childcare less days
Not guaranteed that it would be agreed but worth thinking through and asking.

Are there any other internal roles with better hours or better pay you could apply for?

Is the father involved, could he offer any assistance with pickup?

Do you have any parent friends that you could make arrangements with, you pick up one day, they another?

Have you factored in tax free childcare which would reduce your childcare bill somewhat?

Where have you looked for childcare? Have you exhausted all possible options in your area, the local outdoor pursuits and the local trampoline park run after school programmes here where they collect from specific schools and take them to their centre.

Snozzlemaid · 30/05/2023 22:08

Take a look here for help with childcare costs www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Motnight · 30/05/2023 22:09

If it is your dream job Op you need to look beyond how much childcare will cost you unless it is completely unaffordable, and think about your career longer term.

QforCucumber · 30/05/2023 22:13

Everyone has the right to request it.

that doesn’t mean it has to be accepted

OnTheRunWithMannyMontana · 30/05/2023 22:13

I would put in a flexible working request for school hours so you don't need the wraparound care. You have the right to ask for flexible working from day 1 now but your workplace doesn't have to grant it.

Who knows maybe you will have an understanding manager and a role that can be spread over more days rather than what you are doing now?

Danikm151 · 30/05/2023 22:14

UC will pay up to 85% or £646 a month whichever is lower towards Ofsted registered childcare.

Maybe look and see if there are after school care services in your area. Some are attached to nurseries and look after children till aged 11.

BluebellBlueballs · 30/05/2023 22:15

HadalyEve · 30/05/2023 22:09

Show quote history

You have the right to make a request. You don't have the right that the request is accepted.

katmarie · 30/05/2023 22:15

HadalyEve · 30/05/2023 22:09

Show quote history

As that link makes clear, you have a right to REQUEST flexible working, not a right to flexible working, they're very different things. Anyone has the right to ask, but the request is not guaranteed to be accepted, it depends on the needs of the business as to wether it can be reasonably accomodated. If you go further through those pages it gives a whole list of reasons why a flexible working request can be turned down.

Original poster
Alicew00 · 30/05/2023 22:19

Thank you! I've found the help through those links and I feel better now.

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