After school and school holiday care

[Theworkinggirl]

Hi working mums,
My son is going to start school in September. He currently attends nursery full time 8-4:30/5pm and his nursery only closes between Christmas and new year. His nursery is also close to public transport, which is great for me to get into the office.

The school my son will be attending in September isn’t close to where I live, neither does it have good transport links (Its not my choice for him to attend this school, me and his dad are separated and I couldn’t afford the legal cost to fight for a school that works for both of us)

How are you all managing the drop offs and pick ups? And what do you do during school holidays? I’m pulling my hair out thinking how I can make this work as a single mother!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

thank you in advance.

You need to talk to his dad and find out how much he can look after your son in the holidays. Other than that you will either need to negotiate your hours of work or pay for wrap around care ie someone who will look after him first thing in the morning and drop him off at school and then someone who can collect him and look after him till you get home. Since his dad has insisted on this school I think he should be contributing towards the costs incurred.

Thank you for your message. I have tried to talk to his dad so many times about making it easier for me to get my son to and from school and the school holidays but he doesn’t believe it’s his responsibility. He took me to court for 50/50 which he got, so he think he is only responsible for our son when he is with him.

Breakfast and after school club or childminder. Then swap days with friends or use holiday clubs in the holidays. Our local council run one that’s very good value.

Does the school do wraparound care and school holiday club? If so, use them on the days you have your son. Your ex can figure it out for himself.

There are also private holiday clubs, especially if you're in or near a decent sized town.

Pay for wraparound, breakfast and after school clubs.

Breakfast club at school from 8 then wraparound service that collects the children from school takes them to the children’s centre till 6. I would have used school but it’s only on till 5:30 and that extra half hour is needed.

The same service do a holiday club.

I get UC and that helps towards costs.

My son’s dad only sees him for 1 night EOW so doesn’t contribute towards any of these costs.

Transport wise- is it there aren’t any buses/trains or are they too infrequent?

Can you tell us your 50:50 working arrangements? Might it be possible to finish at 3pm to pick DS up on your days and work later on the days ex has him?