Job and nursery

Thing is Nurserys can have such long waiting lists, but then for the funded hours you’d need to be employed or starting the job in the next 30 days (I think) so really it depends on the nursery waiting times I guess!

You could certainly have a look around nurseries and find out which one you like and put your name down! (Some can have really big waiting lists, so the sooner the better with that) But bear in mind that you won’t be eligible for the funding available for working parents without a job, and you have to have the funding code before you start nursery. It’s really awkward as essentially everything needs to fall into place at the right time.

You’d need to be starting work within 30/31 days of applying for the funded hours as this is part of the criteria on the application. So I’d recommend choosing the nursery you want, checking the waiting list then finding a job/getting a start date and doing your application for funded hours. 😊

So we had this conundrum with our daughter. In my local area, we saw nurseries that had a 3+ month waitlist and also ones that would take her immediately, so it really depends! I’d start talking to nurseries soon so you get to know a bit about their wait times and if they can be flexible with the start time. We found a nursery that would let us be flexible with her start date, then I looked for a job, then applied for the funding - or would have, I ended up finding a flexible job and didn’t need the nursery in the end!

It’s really difficult because some nurseries have long wait lists, but then a lot of jobs, especially part time, require flexibility and don’t have the same shifts every week, or you’ve already signed your child up to certain days at nursery and then you have to find a job that’s looking for those days specifically because you can’t change your kids nursery schedule! It’s really a rock and a hard place situation 😬 if you find a solution let me know ha!

Thanks everyone. It’s so difficult lol xx

I would start looking at nurseries. You may be ok at that age due to room sizes but my daughter will start at nearly 1 and I had to put her name down when I was 23 weeks pregnant. Full for that age until October 2025. If there's a nursery waiting list then you should be able to change days up until she starts!

My daughter started the 15 hours funded when she was 2. I didn't have to find a job, but I found a part time one a few months later. Because I was also receiving universal credit I was told I need to be in part time by the time she was 3, but there was no pressure before that

I definitely think nursery first is best because you will need to settle them in, find a place, etc.

Any at home daycares/sitters near you?

Even with the funded hours it can be an awful expense especially if you’re only doing part time work. I took the plunge to quit my 9-5 and stay home with little one while doing digital marketing

I would sdo research for nursery/ child minder but you shouldn’t start paying for nursery before you find the job

@Claudia can I please ask .. do you don’t have to work until they are three ? Or before

@Louma I am not sure if the rules have changed, this was over a year ago now. But back then I think it was find a job when they turn 3 but no pressure to work until they turn 4 and are in full time education

@Claudia that makes me feel so much better tbh, thank you x

@Nicole what is digital marketing? X

Nursery’s have waiting lists a mile long. So I would find a nursery first then look for something even if your only looking for 2-3 days

@Emmy Digital marketing is just a way of promoting your business or products online. Instead of using things like flyers, TV ads, or billboards, you use the internet. I use social media mostly instagram and TikTok. It’s learning to optimise search engines like Google when people search for something. I basically get my business in front of the right people and my business is helping SAHM earn an income without sacrificing their time at a job they don’t want to be at.