How early should I apply for flexible working?

[thatismahogany]

I'm not even on maternity leave yet 😅 but have been advised that we should apply to nurseries we're interested in ASAP. Even if I take the full year's maternity leave, applying only after she is born would be cutting it close.

So, my question is how far in advance can you apply for flexible working? If I can do flexible working it will greatly reduce the nursery fees we pay, and we need to know what hours/days we want, to secure a place. However I don't technically have a reason (i.e. a baby), until she's born. I know people request flexible hours for all sorts of reasons, but I assume they are already in the situation that means they want flexibility, iyswim. Or maybe it's no different to requesting flexible hours from September because you know you'll need to be around for school pickup, even if your child isn't at school just yet?

I have no reason to think my employer won't honour my request except for genuine business reasons. And they were flexible with my hours when we were doing IVF but I don't think that counted as an official request... Although I would be requesting similar hours.

Thanks in advance for any answers.

I wouldn't be able to tell you now if you would be able to have a particular working pattern in a year's time. I don't even know if I'd be there in a year!

Just remember you only have the right to request flexible working one a year, so timing is key.

Have a conversation with your manager now and find out what would be best.

definitely put your name down for a nursery now - I made the mistake of not doing and the 3 nurseries closer to me are all full until 2024! I asked how it works if you don't know your working pattern and basically your name goes on the list with a rough idea on days you would want and then nearer the time when you have moved up the list they contact you to confirm. I would ask work what their process is and take it from there. Most important for me was getting name down with a nursery and then taking it from there - my baby starts in April and I confirmed her hours a few weeks ago along with paying the deposit

Agree with doing the nursery bit first. They will be used to parents who aren't exactly sure what they will need but they will be able to tell you what's available which might influence your flexible working request.

For example they may be able to offer 3x full days from September 2023 but only on Monday, Thursday and Friday. That's no use if you have already committed to working Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Get nursery sorted first! Even if that's an application that says you want 5 days and you reduce it down later when you fully commit.

What are you work like historically for accepting flexible working?

@Sewwhatmrmagpie I think you're right I need to speak to my manager informally to see what would work best. I don't want my one allowed request to be rejected.

I think they could probably honour a request for more weekend and night shifts, which is what I did with IVF. However I am thinking of alternatives, like asking for a set day off or two, to limit how many nursery days we'll need, as my husband is always off on the weekend.

@wishuponastar1988 what a nightmare! I'm glad you managed to find her a place for April though.

I have messaged a few and hopefully they will get back to me soon as I think some places won't accept applications until the baby is here? I would love to just get on a waiting list, to know we (kind of) have something sorted. So far one nursery has said their notice period for changing days is 3 months, so I assume choosing initial days would need to be done 3 months before starting. 😬But fair enough, I'm sure they need to tell their staff what their shifts are in advance.

@RomainingCalm good point about considering availability of days. We don't know much yet except there is one day in the week it would be a bit of a disaster not to have childcare booked! Hopefully they get back to me soon, but I guess I'll be waiting now until Monday at least.

@LifeIsBusy I did consider applying for 5 days and then reducing it, but wasn't sure if they would get annoyed if we drastically reduced how many days we wanted? Or am I overthinking it?

And there is at least one other person with hours that work around their childcare needs, I will have to try to talk to her if I can. Work was quite accommodating when I did IVF. But I think there are more people now who need weekends and nights, for various reasons, so not sure how things will be when I need those hours again. So I'm thinking of alternatives like set days off too.