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Original poster

Taking time off work due to no childcare

14 replies

redfox14 · 08/08/2024 19:49

I currently work 3 days a week. My DD attends nursery for two half day sessions a week, as her nursery don’t currently have space for her to attend full days. My DM and MIL have her on the mornings/afternoons she can’t go to nursery.

I’m in a real difficult situation currently as my MIL is busy caring for one of her parents and is struggling to manage having DD at the same time on her day off. My DM is also unwell at the minute and can’t have DD on her days either. I have tried asking nursery if there’s any chance they can squeeze DD into any of the sessions but they have flat out refused. I can’t see my DM getting any better for the next couple of weeks if not longer.

My manager can be really stingy with time off but I genuinely don’t know what else to do other than take some time off work as I have literally no one else who can look after my daughter on my working days. I do have a few days annual leave I could request but I don’t know if my manager would allow it at such short notice. My other option is to ask for carer’s leave but I don’t know how long that can last and I also think it’s unpaid. Can anyone help or has any pointers whether it’s best to take annual leave or carers leave, I’m just thinking the situation may carry on longer than a couple of weeks and then I don’t know what I will do.

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DanceTheDevilBackIntoHisHole · 08/08/2024 19:59

Any local childminders whose children are away and they have temporary spaces?
Or look at a website like childcare.co.uk and see if you can find a temporary nanny/childminder/babysitter?

You mention a MIL so I assume you have a DH, so why is it your sole problem to fix and suffer the impact of?

WickieRoy · 08/08/2024 20:11

Yes do you have a partner? You need to split it 50/50 if so - time off at short notice is part of being a parent, don't let him play the Big Important Man Job card.

Otherwise, you may need to take unpaid leave. And ask around other local nurseries and childminders. Can you be flexible with your days, or make hours up in the evening or over naptime on other days?

LizzieBennett73 · 08/08/2024 20:21

Do you have a local FB page where you can try and contact other local parents? Someone may be in the same boat and you could offer to share childcare with them.

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Childcare & nursery Families
DoublePeonies · 08/08/2024 20:27

On your next day off, I'd be phoning all the other nurseries and childminders in the area, and finding one that has 3 days available.

Annual leave, with DH taking a day a week too, until you can find more childcare. The current nursery isn't working for you, however much you love it.

Onehotday · 08/08/2024 20:31

LizzieBennett73 · 08/08/2024 20:21

Do you have a local FB page where you can try and contact other local parents? Someone may be in the same boat and you could offer to share childcare with them.

Please do NOT request or accept childcare from strangers on Facebook FFS.

Phineyj · 08/08/2024 20:35

The website Sitters is good for finding childcare.

RowenaVerbena · 08/08/2024 20:38

I would take unpaid leave in this situation. If I suddenly left my DD with a childminder or nanny she'd never met before, for a full day (or multiple days) she would genuinely scream the entire 8 hours I was at work.
Depends in your child's temperament I suppose, and how readily they warm to new people.
(Edit: typo)

Starlightstarbright3 · 08/08/2024 20:42

You need to find a nursery that has availability .. This is the time of year spaces become available . If they don’t now then they won’t going forward

IvyIvyIvy · 08/08/2024 21:12

Try the more expensive nurseries rather than the ones accepting free hours and not for profit. Some private schools have nurseries attached. September is a good time to be looking. Also our nursery is quiet on Mondays and Fridays so if you can be flexible on days that would probably help. Good luck.

Otherwise some unpaid leave. I think parental leave has to be taken in week blocks so not as helpful but does come with protections if you can manage without the money.

IvyIvyIvy · 08/08/2024 21:13

Or any family friends sixth formers or uni breakers who want pocket money over the holidays. Especially if you are working from home.

OlympicsFanGirl · 08/08/2024 21:14

Why isn't her Dad taking time of his work?

Howdoesitworkagain · 08/08/2024 21:23

Some employers would give you one day of emergency leave if there’s a problem with your normal childcare, but you’d be expected to use that day to solve the problem and get them into another setting and return to work.

As you’ve said, you could take annual leave.

Other than that, it has to be some form of unpaid leave. You can’t take paid leave without using your annual leave just because of childcare issues.

Itsannamay · 09/11/2024 11:45

Are there any other nurseries in the area, if it's not a temporary thing?

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