studying + working and help with childcare

[freckletone]

Hi there
My youngest daughter turns 5 in January and naturally now once that happens I'll be put on JSA and need to be looking/ or already have a job. Although I'm doing a degree through the open university and my benefits officer keeps telling me that because I'm studying I may be exempt from this but I don't know. Is anyone else studying but still put to work once youngest was five?
I'm happy to work.
I'm doing some volunteer work at my mothers' once the holidays are done, it's just childcare is a problem if I can't get term time hours.
Can you get childcare in the holidays? Do they come to you or do your children go to them?
I ihave absolutely no one to look after my children. The only people that look after my girls are my parents but they both work so can't take on that responsibility. I hate the thought of childcare since I don't let anyone bar my parents look them but I may not have a choice.

Fiddlesticks.

Unfortunately as your degree is part time you will not be exempt from JSA requirements, the whole idea of the OU is that you can study around other commitments like family, job etc. Most areas do holiday clubs, childminders may offer holiday only care, its just a case of looking around and seeing what is available locally.

Once you have been in a job for 6 months you are entitled to put in a flexible working request so some companies would consider term time only work, others may not but would consider school hours only so you wouldn't need to worry about before and after school care.

Don't forget that your child will be looked after by other people while in school, its no different to letting someone else look after her during the holidays so don't feel bad about that!