Shops, schools... Childcare

[HunterHearstHelmsley]

Its looking as though most shops will open up on the 15th, with car showrooms on the 1st. How is this going to work with childcare? I can't imagine that somewhere like a car showroom has enough staff to furlough whilst also having enough staff in. Same goes for a small shop.

I'm sure this has been done before but I'm baffled.

@Uhoh2020 well its quit then and let them find someine who doesnt have childcare issues because they won't let unpaid leave I'm guessing if they need someone

@Nosurveysneeded
Schools are open and have been since lockdown

I have been open all the way through for current key worker families and have had 0 enquires from keyworkers and 0 enquires for September and this is usually when I get all my enquires about spaces. The one enquiry I did have was for December start. Locally childminders are finding existing parents are too scared to come back just yet and want to leave it a couple of weeks, month etc. So are unable to offer temporary care to others in case it’s need by an existing client suddenly as they paying retainers. It’s also a lot of work to settle a baby/child for only a few weeks etc

I am a keyworker so my children have been going to school on days that I have been working all along, but the reopening to others of their school is absolutely fuck all use for childcare. DC2 is in Reception, and Reception children can go back for 1 day a week from 15th June. Parents don't yet know which day or what times (there will be staggered start and finish times but no one know what they will be) and no breakfast club or after-school club. What use is that to anyone needing to return to work? I know the government said schools should reopen to the eligible pupils full-time, not on a rota, but the school is doing what it believes is safest for the staff and pupils. If you previously relied on breakfast club and/ or after-school club as childcare so you could work, you might think you could ask the parent of your child's friend to look after them before or after school, but the friend might not be in school on the same day of the week as your child so that doesn't work either.

@bigchris that may be a sad reality for some unfortunately

we need the people....hands on deck......those with childcare issues, sadly,will need to find a way to come in or move on so someone else can do the job.

@bigchris Unfortunately there’s zero chance of being furloughed for either of us

Employment will be tough for women over the next couple of years. We bear the brunt of childcare but are heavily reliant on others for support and provision.

Well they may well have asked all R Y1 and Y6 to go back with social distancing.

Then what happens when they ask year 4 and 5?

They can all be in a bubble of 6

And IF the government are saying kids don’t speed the disease why do they need bubbles? Either they speed it or they don’t.

Our nursery is reopening but even if my eldest was going back, there’s no wraparound care at school, except for key worker children. Seems likely to be that way for some time.

My current worry is summer holidays - if there’s no summer holiday camps it will probably be a bridge too far for our employers. If wraparound care isn’t back by September we’ll be properly screwed.

And yes, if social restrictions are loosened we’ll possibly be able to come up with some reciprocal care arrangements. But that would actually extend networks of contact rather than tightening them...

And IF the government are saying kids don’t speed the disease why do they need bubbles? Either they speed it or they don’t.

The evidence base is pretty weak so far. It’s pointing in a positive direction but I wouldn’t want to be basing policy on it.

Not every worker has children, or children needing childcare.

Most people I know couldn't afford to pay for a full time childminder for their dc if school closed.

Wrap around childcare for two dc is buttons compared to paying for the full 9 hour day. For our household, it would cost over one salary.

Which is why we spaced out the dc births so that we weren't paying 2x ft childcare.

Even if the space is there - the money isn't.

@Pipandmum And that's the problem when businesses start making redundancies or hiring choices. Of course. businesses can't discriminate but they can always say in feedback that Jane (no kids) can work xyz shift pattern or 'there were a lot of strong candidates but on the whole we thought Jennifer (young fit healthy - single) would be a better fit.

Some business may allow an element of flexiworking or some WFH which will help.

I fear that CV will impact more upon working mothers in the workforce compared to other groups with the exception of under-25s.

@Lucywilde perhaps the car showrooms are opening so those who need eye tests can go for a drive!

I jest sorry.

I agree so much of this seems illogical

@DahliaDay are you always a twat? Or are you just making an extra big effort today?

@HeyBlaby I agree @DahliaDay is quite blunt there but unfortunately shes right that may well be the case for some which is awful

Against equalities legislation tho.

My DS2 son nursery has been closed throughout, even for keyworkers children. They have said they will be guided by schools as to whether they reopen. 2 out of 5 schools in my local area have said they will not be reopening, against government guidelines. DS7 is year 2 so we are waiting to hear from school about when they will reopen for him. We are both keyworkers but having to work shifts around each other as one of us has to be at home for DS2, and from the guidance sent home regarding schools, it would be basically unworkable for us due to lack of wrap around childcare. I am still paying 50% of nursery fees to keep youngest place, so cannot afford to pay a childminder (if there are any available).

It's just a shit show isn't it.

We've been having a big discussion about all this on the key worker childcare thread.

It's just mad. I have a junior age child who goes to school as I am a key worker. But now after school club has closed. So all that is available is school 9-3.

No other clubs to use. I've been looking for a childminder for 5 years, there are only 3 who cover my school and they are full as always.

So now I have a matter of days to pull some magical childcare out my arse????

Looked for a nanny, all on childcare. Co. UK are booked as EVERYONE is scrabbling to do the same thing.

Even if they weren't I'm meant to suddenly find £130 per DAY? To pay them? Because they can't attend multiple settings and 9-3 is not long enough so I'd need 7.30am until 6pm.

So I have to pay a nanny more money than I even earn so that I can still be a front line worker?

Where does the money come from?

My wrap around care usually costs me £18 per day which is fine and I also buy vouchers through work which reduces it a bit more.

I don't want to quit my job. But I really don't understand what else we are all supposed to do? With less than a weeks notice. Batshit.

The company I worked for has already gone into administration during the Coronavirus making me redundant theres no way I can look for another full time job until school re opens to all years and with wrap around care

Usual childcare is family, not permitted. Reciprocal playdates, not permitted. Grandparents over 70, shielding, no longer available.

None of the usual creative solutions (or just normal solutions) to childcare issues are currently legal!

It's RIDICULOUS

If I have to go back to work my mum is having my DC, but I realise not everyone is so lucky.