Child care when WFH ends

[DrMaryMalone]

I work in agriculture so I am classed as a category 3 key worker by our local council. I am currently working from home but as harvest season approaches in the next few weeks I will need to be out on farms and in my office on a regular basis. My OH has a job which can not be done from home (on a golf course) and as the most senior member of his team has not been furloughed so he can maintain the premises and keep it ticking over ready for when it reopens. He is working his normal hours of 6-2 Monday to Friday since social distancing is pretty easy for him to do there!

However we have 2 DC aged 2 and 7. According to our local council childcare is only available for children where both children’s are key workers. What on earth are we supposed to do? Has anyone been in the same situation?

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

the premises and keep it ticking over ready for when it reopens

He could do other hours though?

Can he do 5am-9am mon-fri and make up the lost hours Sat and Sun, you work 9.30-6pm mon-fri?

[kirinm]

Job hunting amid a pandemic crisis probably not the most sensible move - I've not seen any jobs coming up in the usual places anyway. I have a 3 month notice period as well so a new job wouldn't solve the situation anyway. What area are you in just out of curiosity?

At least I have several years of service for redundancy purposes where I am. Lots of firms may be okay now but that won't necessarily be the case long term.

Work are being dicks about hours though. I was quite surprised to be asked if I was going to hit my hours this month. I mean, I'm trying of course but life isn't exactly straightforward at the moment!

Problem with partner being in construction is that sites open early so I can't get a couple of hours in before he goes to work. Work have said I can work weekends and take my weekends in the week. We have discussed looking for a nanny - had actually been looking pre-lockdown but was really struggling to find anyone who would actually turn up to be interviewed (was for top up care). Don't know if other posters are in London but nannies seem so expensive (when I'm still paying our childminder).

I'm slightly less hysterical now then I was this morning! We will have to make something work. Financially my job is the one we need to ensure we keep. Still hoping we can find another solution though.