Figuring out the logistics of getting a job!

[moremelonadeplease]

I was a married SAHM OF 2 (3yo and 1yo) I'm recently widowed and have been thinking bout the inevitable return to work. I've been told I've no pressure to return to work until youngest is 3 but a job I'm really excited about has come up.

I feel like I'm asking a really stupid question but how on earth do you manage child care when both children aren't eligible for the free hours if child care and attend a term time only nursery? The job I'm interested in is part time, roughly £11000pa. I've heard all sorts of nightmare stories about universal credit whilst working and I want to make sure I'm not putting myself in a worse position that I'm already in by applying for this job.

I don't know where to start trying to figure out if it is doable. Any advice?

Thanks

Have you looked at what help with childcare you might be entitled to under Universal Credit? I may be out of date as it was tax credits when mine were young but there was an element to assist with childcare costs, which made work possible for me. I guess you probably would need to move them to an all year-round nursery though, which would be an upheaval for them. Might be worth it for the right job though!

You should be eligible for up to 85% of childcare costs from UC or tax credits depending what area you are in.
You would have to move them to a nursery that isn't just term time or find alternative care for the holidays though because everyone (nearly) wants school holidays Christmas etc. Off X

Consider applying for a job as term time staff. This is most likely useful to an employer who also has students working for them. Point out that students want shifts on holidays and are only free evenings and weekends so you would be able to allow them to accommodate that. Usually your annual wage will be divided over 12 months so you still get a wage in the summer months.