Childcare bubble query

[UnbalancedMum]

I’m half expecting to be shot down for this.

I have read the guidance; www.gov.uk/guidance/making-a-childcare-bubble-with-another-household

I already have a childcare bubble with my parents who have looked after our DC before. We have four under 10. I’m currently off work as work term time only.

DH has to return to work after Boxing Day, he cannot work from home. Delivery driver.

I am also studying a university degree and have an assignment due the beginning of January, i’m extremely behind as they’ve been isolating the last four weeks due to cases in various years. Isolation finally ends the 28th.

My question is am I able to use the childcare bubble to have my parents look after the children while I catch up on my uni work? Once their isolation is over (fingers crossed no symptoms so far) so on the 29th for a few hours.

Please don’t shoot me down, I’m a very tired and anxious mum and just looking for advice. I can’t find anything that states childcare has to be for work purposes only. DH will be out the house 4am- whenever he is finished his deliveries, usually late afternoon/dinner time. I will also drop at the door and no socialising of course. We’ve followed the rules to the letter up till now.

Uni work is indeed work I would have thought, so I'm not shooting you down! Are you all in the same tier?

I don’t see the problem with this? Am I missing something? Sounds like it’s OK to me

I would assume it was ok... but it may also be worth checking your university's extension/ mit circs policy.

Would totally say ok if they are happy. How else can you do uni work if you have 4 dcs

I think it’s ok op, no expert though

The children can go to their house if you are doing uni work (as that is education related) but they cannot look after them in your house unless you are going elsewhere to do the work.

Thankyou for being kind everyone, what silly person thinks it’s a good idea to do a degree with four young dc in the middle of pandemic eh 😅 haha.

I am so bloody tired I was worried I’d missed some part of the rules. Last thing I want is to get my parents in trouble. Or ourselves.

I will also look into the extension that is a good idea, thank you.

@StatisticalSense

The children can go to their house if you are doing uni work (as that is education related) but they cannot look after them in your house unless you are going elsewhere to do the work.

They will be going to my parents, I will drop them at the door with their lunch etc for the day and then wait at the door to pick them up in the afternoon.

Yes.

Yes. I sent mine when I had some annual leave and just had a nice relaxing few days. Shoot me now.

Of course you can it's a childcare bubble and you need childcare.

In the relevant guidance there isn't actually any requirement that a childcare bubble is used for any particular purpose at all - it doesn't say that it has to be work or education. All it says is that it has to be actual childcare, ie the parent can't be present.

Childcare bubbles can be used simply just to give you a break.
If all you were doing was eating quality street and watching a Christmas film, you'd be allowed to do it.

Yes this is allowed. I am working from home and my mum sometimes has the DC at her house or... shock horror looks after them at my house whilst I am working in another room

Yes it doesn’t say work anywhere just childcare

Thank you all so much and thank you for being kind.