Help with child care cost.

[babyapril]

It looks like my school hours ( in a school job) will be no more. Mainly due to cuts etc... unfortunately l need to work & my youngest in only eight. We are not well off and l will need help with the cost of holiday child care - if l am unable to secure a job during term time again.
How does it work? I don't even know what options are open to me? Thank you.

Are you entitled to children tax credits? they can go towards it. Unfortunately holiday childcare is a massive expense, my 9yo DD goes to holiday clubs in the summer and it is roughly £200 per week

DP and I cover most of the other holidays with all our annual leave, rarely have time off together. It sucks but that's the way it is unfortunately

Oh and make sure you keep a week of annual leave aside for covering time off for when your child is ill unless you have family to help or can afford an emergency Nanny etc.

Thank you. We do receive tax credits. I will look into claiming them. I can't believe l'm not entitled to any unemployment. I read that as my husband works more than 16 hours , l can't get anything?

www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance/overview

This is the info re-job seekers allowance. Have a read and see if you can claim it whilst you look for a new job.

How many weeks holidays do you and Dh get per year? Use most alternate so you only need a few weeks

Ie 11 weeks school holidays per year. If you get 4 weeks each, you could cover say 6 weeks between you alternate, 2 have off together. Then only 5 weeks care divided by 52 weeks cost wise

Thank you both. I just don't know what to do with holidays as l've only had the same as my daughter till now. I will check that link :)

You should be able to claim contributions based job seekers allowance if you have paid national Insurance contributions.

As a parent you are entitled to 4 weeks unpaid leave so depending on your salary might be a better option than paying for childcare!

That is helpful Matilda. Is that the case in any job?
Thank you Baby. I keep reading conflicting facts. I think l should dedicate a bit of time to work out what to do. My job ending came as a bit of a shock!

You typically need to have worked for your employer for 1 year before you are entitled to take unpaid leave. Perhaps your husband can take unpaid leave whilst you work during the qualifying period.

Yes, Hainault. Possibly. He has been there five years. Definitely worth considering, especially as it may work out more cost effective. Thanks!