Nursery

Are you qualified for the 15 hrs of funding? I know it’s not much but it may help you both. And I know universal credit sometimes help towards fees depending on your circumstances. I’m in the same position as you. I have returned to work as we can’t physically afford the childcare costs it’s ridiculous 😳 come September they are bringing out 30 hrs from 9months old x

@Jess at the moment no because you have to be working to be able to get the 15 hours it’s a nightmare the only time they do free childcare is when they’re between 2-4 I think so technically I won’t be able to go to work till she’s 2?? It’s a joke x

My son goes to nursery he gets 15 hours free childcare but it works out less then that as 15 hours is term time I would also speak with nurseries as a lot get full so quick where we live I had to put him on the list while pregnant for the September Maybe look for agency work as then you can work when you know you have childcare With funding it works from the term after so the next term now is april

If you get universal credit you get 85% of your childcare paid for. But you do have to work minimum 16 hours per week I think. You pay it then claim it back but they give you help if you can’t do this I believe

Universal credit only help you with first payment if you are starting a new job they wouldn’t help me with the first month just give me 85% back

UC would be able to help you with 85% of the costs and should help with the first payment of nursery. Why is it that you can't get a job without her being in nursery? I would start off by finding a nursery you like and securing a place for whenever they can offer and what ever hours they're able to offer and suit you. From there I'd then try find a job that works around it. The nursery's tend to have quite substantial waiting lists depending on what you're after so you'd likely have time to find a job

@Chiara I have no one available to look after her whilst trying to look for a job, my partner works but like I said it’s not enough to pay and my mum works full time too

Can you not look/apply for jobs while you've got your little one?

There’s something called flexible support fund I think which can help with the upfront cost which might give you time to find a job for the next months bill etc

@Chiara obviously I can but how am I supposed to go to job interviews with a one year old?

Take them with you? Hire a baby sitter? Ask your partner to take time off work? Schedule them in for a time where your partner or mum aren't working, ask for a remote interview

Recruiters are generally very understanding when it comes to that