What are non key workers planning to do for childcare?

[Fashionablylate1999]

I'm a single mum to a primary aged child, I cannot work from home, my work is still (just) open and if I don't work I won't get paid. What are others doing in this situation now the schools are closing? Short term my child could probably come to work with me (v. small office) but realistically this won't be sustainable long term as I will be working so unable to help with any learning/teaching and she's not old enough to do much on her own and she'll also be very bored for 8 hrs a day 5days a week and could be disruptive. My parents are over 70 so can't help and my other family could maybe help for a few days but certainly not weeks/months. Any suggestions please

I am in a similar situation as you. I was hoping to be able to bring my son in with me as I cannot afford to not have an income coming in (like everyone else), and my parents are elderly, and my Dad is in poor health already, so no childcare option.
I have been asked to stay at home from Monday, because my boss cannot risk a child being in the workplace. I cried. I know this needs to happen but reality is hitting now that times are going to be extremely hard, and as much as I want to keep us ticking over financially, things are out of my control now.
I wish you all the luck x

Same to you. I know it has to happen to protect the vulnerable but the uncertainty is what is killing me, I've paid this month's rent and have earned enough this month to pay April's but after that... who knows?!

Also in the same boat, not a single parent but my husband will be working as normal. I'll be working as I work in childcare.

My school after school club are trying to offer small group babysitting services by it's normal workers as they also need money. Have you spoken to the school after school club? Or will work offer flexi hours? It's a nightmare really.

My work are fairly flexible but most of my work can only really be done in core hours, not much I can do in the evenings. Haven't spoken to school/after school club yet, imagine they are super busy and stressed atm so don't want to hassle them. A few friends have offered to help some days, just not sure that will be sustainable if this goes on for months, esp if people start getting sick

If your out of work due to your kids been off you can apply for universal credit and also get an advance before the first payment in 5 weeks if your already on UC you will get a higher payment as your wages will be less. Also if you have a mortgage you can apply for a 3 month break if u rent speak to your landlord as if they are getting 3 months break they may cut you some slack or take part payments until all this is over with and we get back to normal

I’ve applied for a three month mortgage holiday and stopped payments to any hobbies the kids have. I’m going to have to probably take months of unpaid leave because my elderly mum usually watches the kids during holidays etc. I have no-one else to watch them. I’m a complaint manager for a bank so work have said I’m a key worker but the local council have indicated I’m not because I don’t process payments. I’m very concerned about my finances right now. The self employed are being offered 80% of their wages but there’s nothing about single parents. An increase in universal credit will not make up for my losses. I know this sucks for everyone but the last two years have been traumatic for me and I really thought I was getting back on my feet this year. Arghhh!!

This whole thing is so frustrating.
I'm completely able to work from home, except I just can't do it very much if my 4 year old is at home with me. He's struggling with this massive change to his normal routine, and cannot just sit or play quietly between 9:30 and 6!

I almost hit breaking this point and ended up taking some annual leave to get back on top of things, but obviously I can't do that for the foreseeable future.

His father is not on the scene at all, so no help financially or with shared parenting.

My mum is fit and healthy and lives in the same village and would usually have him if preschool couldn't. She has offered to walk over for her daily exercise, to collect him, and I could go get him back for my daily exercise... I know it's not the right thing to do but I'm pretty desperate to keep getting paid. The only other thing I can think of would be to move in with her, which would end up the same, but just a whole lot more hassle.