Rights at work

[lil123]

My childminder as just informed me that she is hardly going to work over the xmas and new year period.
My job requires me to work most of this period.
Where do I stand if I can't get any childcare and can't go into work?
Would it be better for me just to leave in case they sack me as my boss is not understanding at all.
I am single parent and my family live 70miles away.
Will I be able to get income support if this does happen?

[onlyme26]

how old is your child? if they are under 6 your boss has to by law be flexible.

i dont know the ins and outs of it but look it up on the net...

also there are loads of great out of school clubs which are open most days around xmas except the bank holidays

xx

[annie0000]

You can opt to take parental leave - not sure of the exact amount, but you can take a period of unpaid leave as long as you agree it with your employer.

You only know how flexibl your employer is likely to be.

On the other hand, it does sound like your childminder is being unreasonable with her request not to work, is this some special occasion e.g. a one of holiday to Australia or something? If this is likely to occur often, I would remember that you are technically her employer and you can dismiss with her services and get another childminder.

[annie0000]

Her's a link that should tell you more:

http://direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworken titlements/WorkAndFamilies/Parentalleaveandfle xibleworking/index.htm

[Bettyboo22]

How Old Is Your Child ?

What Job Do You Do ?

See If You Can Take In Your Child Or Send Them To Stay With Some Family for A While With Them Living So Far Away You Can Tell Them They Are Going On A mini Holiday. My Mum Always Used To Do That With Us She Had To Work Shifts With The Police So She Would Send Us To Stay With Our Great Gran In Wales Where All My Family Live.

[ayla99]

Try asking your childminder if she can recommend any colleagues who can offer cover over christmas? Is this a one-off decision for this year or will she always close at christmas from now on? Make sure she knows the situation with your work, she may have made this decision based on the assumption that everyone else wants time off at xmas as well.

If you're having trouble finding a registered person, you can legally use an unregistered person if your child is over 8 or if the childcare is provided in the child's home. Although you may not want to take the risk of using an unregistered person, consider if you have a close friend/trusted neighbour who could help out as a one-off? You could try a nanny agency for a temporary contract or sometimes parents have found help in local college students (if you find someone who is studying early years/education they may have already done a placement which required CRB checks) or preschool staff, classroom assistants etc.

Its quite common for childminders to close over christmas but you usually get a lot more notice!

www.emergencychildcare.co.uk
www.childcarelink.gov.uk

Your family may live 70 miles away but surely you'll be seeing them over christmas at some point? Could you tie in your family visits with a few days of them caring for your child in your home or theirs (carer doesn't have to be registered with Ofsted if related to the child). Eg if your family visited you for a couple of days then took your child back to their house for a week and then you visited them for a few days and then brought child back with you????

Good luck, hope you get it sorted out.