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Original poster

Back to office no childcare

64 replies

Bakersdelight · 21/05/2020 08:34

I’ve just received an email from my boss to say I’m unfurloughrd from next Tuesday 26 May to work back in the office. I have a 2 year old and a son in year 2. My husband works full time. We have no childcare as nothing is open. I don’t know what to do.

OP posts:
GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 22/05/2020 17:28

Fine, you’ve tried. I’m sorry you didn’t find anyone. But many will.

PasserbyEffect · 22/05/2020 17:48

Does that not count as time off for dependants? www.gov.uk/time-off-for-dependants

I've taken time off for dependants before to deal with unexpected childcare issues (existing childcare provider withdrew their services just before the school holidays)
And in the long term I ended up using a mix of unpaid parental leave and annual leave for every school holidays, as the childcare issue could not be solved (DC with SEN would just not fit in anywhere...)

Note: it only worked long term because DH pulled his weight and did the same, so we would both be available to work 50% of the time during school holidays.

I know this isn't the same as your situation (as schools are currently closed full time for Y2!), but just to say: know your rights, and work as a team with the other parent (no reason your job should be sacrificed)

hopsalong · 22/05/2020 18:09

That's a difficult situation. I'm sorry to hear that. At my son's nursery (he has started going again because husband is a keyworker) there are currently some older children who could be in school instead. After June 1, the provider thinks there will be more. Admittedly these children are all in reception or year 1, but maybe your nursery provider would consider taking a year 2 child for a few days? Otherwise I think the only option is to keep picking round childminders (and possibly relatives), as others have said.

imnottoofussed · 22/05/2020 18:45

Time off for dependents isn't paid either

YahBasic · 22/05/2020 18:47

Is your husband having the same conversations with his employer?

You haven’t mentioned his job, is he able to take annual leave or unpaid leave to facilitate you going back to work?

DianaT1969 · 22/05/2020 19:12

Have you approached the employees of your son's nursery? As it is closed, one might be willing to work as a childminder in your home. It doesn't solve your problem with your older DC once nurseries open though.

Flowersmiles · 23/05/2020 19:01

After a few emails from my daughters school this week saying kids will back part time that are due back on the 1st June (not my daughters year group) it did get me thinking about childcare going forward.
I have been working full time throughout lockdown and a majority of the time away from home each day my daughter has been cared for by a relative who was happy for this to happen as my job is not classed as a key worker so no place offered.
Relative is happy to continue this until
September. If the schools go back on a part time basis like our school has hinted at in September then what exactly will happen to kids parents who are working?

Patch23042 · 23/05/2020 19:44

Your husband might need to take annual leave or work from home? You have barely mentioned him. This is his problem too. Don’t take it all on yourself OP.

dairyfairies · 23/05/2020 20:20

If the schools go back on a part time basis like our school has hinted at in September then what exactly will happen to kids parents who are working?

I'd image a lot of them will be finding out of work. My workplace has certainly threatened this and WFH will not be acceptable much longer. sadly this will predominantly hit women.

Flowersmiles · 23/05/2020 20:52

@dairyfairies very scary isn’t it. If I don’t work we would loose our home etc, benefits wouldn’t cover all our bills. I would have thought many families would face the same problem? So what are we going to have families now homeless as well due to not being able to work, very worrying. Just hope schools will be back full time by September.

MarshaBradyo · 23/05/2020 20:58

That is short notice for anyone to find childcare.

Uhoh2020 · 23/05/2020 22:11

It is but at the same time furlough has always ever been a short term thing that could be retracted at any point from the employer. It's common sense to have back up plans or solutions thought up or in place for this.

bombaychef · 23/05/2020 23:02

Thousands of parents are both trying to work FT from home whilst looking after kids, me included. Or one out a work and one work8ng at home. It's hellish. I'm a KW but school won't take DC unless both parents are KW or single parent KW.
You had the advantage of weeks of furlough.
Your DH will have to adjust his work now

banjaxxed · 23/05/2020 23:44

Call your school or email

Most parents don't want the space so there is capacity. They might let you take your son (same for nursery)

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