Keyworkers and struggling for childcare, anyone else?

[3girlsandapooch]

Sorry if this has been done already, I couldn't see one and I'm currently so stressed.

Me and my husband are both classed as frontline keyworkers, but the school have told us we are not eligible for a place and not to send them monday and the nursery have now told us they are shutting there doors and wont be open until further notice. What the hell am I meant to do?!?

We both still have to go to work and wont get paid if we dont! Is anyone else in this situation?

[SavoyCabbage]

What LEA do you live in? There should be a number on your council's website to ring.

Is the nursery a private nursery? How old os your nursery child?

[3girlsandapooch]

Oh I didnt realise that, think i have gone in to headless chicken mode with the stress of everything, I will check the website.
My nursery child is 3 years and was at a private nursery.

[SavoyCabbage]

Yes, I think that’s happening to a lot of us, it’s all so overwhelming.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Here are the guidelines and near the bottom it says
‘ If your school is closed, then please contact your local authority, who will seek to redirect you to a local school in your area that your child, or children, can attend.’

There is a lot of confusion.

[twinnywinny14]

Why are they saying you’re not eligible?

[Fatted]

Have you spoken to your employer if they can help? DH and I are both public sector/emergency services and our employers are being very flexible with parents right now. Annual leave and dependency leave is being granted. My work are also being flexible with hours worked (we are a 24 hour service after all) and even talking about setting up an emergency creche for single parents etc.

Perhaps speak to work and see what they can do to help.

[Glenthebattleostrich]

I think schools have something like a 20% capacity and limited staff.

Ring your council and ask if they have a list of childminders who are open for key workers during this period. Considering we are getting sod all support many have no choice but to be available.

[collywobblescar]

I've got the same, private nursery saying they aren't opening for anyone, including keyworkers and vulnerable children. 🤦‍♀️

Some childminders have spaces for key workers children in our area

[3girlsandapooch]

They have just emailed to say we dont meet the criteria, so are not eligible. Work for the nhs so have no idea how?! Thank you all for your suggestions, I'm going to try and get in touch with my local authority today and also try and find some local childminders.

Was just another added stress on top of everything else, but thank you all for giving me a rational trial of thought!

[Letsbegin]

Try your line manager we have had an email circulated stating that it's very important the schools and nurseries take our kids and not to take no for an answer. A strongly worded email from your line managers might sway them? Or failing that provided they give your money back I have seen childcare providers in my area offering to take keyworker children think they are desperate for the money to be honest!

[ThatsWotSheSaid]

What exactly do you both do? Lots of people aren't getting paid if they don’t go to work it doesn’t make you eligible for childcare unfortunately.

[confusednortherner]

Try the local authorities and email school back asking for an explanation. If you are both nhs I'd say that's top of the list not the 101 other jobs on there!

[johnworf]

I don't understand why you don't meet the criteria if you are both key workers.

I will be open to parents who are keyworkers (I'm a childminder). Only one parents needs to be a keyworker but if the other parent is at home then they are expected to keep their child/ren at home with them - working from home does not mean you can send them to school/childcare.

I would definitely speak to your line manager and get them to write you a letter explaining that you need childcare.