Returning back to work

[FirstBabyCooking]

So when is everyone planning on returning back to work?

My maternity pay will stop on the 22nd August & we can’t afford for me to have the three months unpaid off. Already struggling at the moment.

LO isn’t due to start nursery until October so going to have to stretch child care up until then somehow.
Unfortunately LO doesn’t get the 30 free hours until the January term which is a nightmare as not sure we will be able to afford the cost until the 30 hours come in for them.

So stressed & unsure on how to go about it. I’ve ignored it’s going to happen but now getting to the point where I need to sort it out 🥺 any help/advise and what other people’s plans our.

Thanks

Can both you and your partner go down to 2.5 days a week for the gap? Either through AL or through agreement with your work? You are both entitled to unpaid time off so you can split this if you need

I’m unsure we would be able to afford to. And I’m worried she will lose her space in January if I take her out until then. 🥺

I’m not sure what you mean OP, are you going back to work in September? If so, why haven’t you got a nursery place until October, who is going to look after your child for that month?

I’m not sure what to suggest. Most people line up childcare for when they intend to return to work. So for you the end of august. You will need to use annual leave or alternative childcare until the nursery place. Either that or you need to take unpaid leave.
It doesn’t help to know my intentions as I will have nursery running from when I return to work which is after 52 weeks.

Do you have any family that can help with childcare until October? I'm presuming that there was no nursery space available until October as most parents try and sort childcare for when they return to work.

Childcare is expensive. Did you look into this when you planned on having a baby? If you will be paying full fees for 3 months until you get the funding in January, you are just going to have to budget for those 3 months.

Alternatively, you might want to consider looking for a cheaper nursery or a childminder. Depending on where you live though, childcare spaces can be very hard to find; they are in my area.

Due back last week of august but could have off until November off but the pay finishes last week of august.
there wasn’t a space available until October. I’m hoping to use my holidays for the three days I need childcare