Maintenance and child care advice

[rishyrish]

I have an 11m month old baby, and I have been struggling to make ends meet on my own and juggle child care costs to a non registered childminder. When asking my ex for help with the childcare he tells me he isnt paying a penny and mums need to handle the maintenance side of things! Am I wrong to stop him seeing her if he doesnt want to help maintain her, and he said if I dont let him see her he will take me to court. He hasnt paid a penny to her since she was born.

[rishyrish]

Also can anyone recommend a really good registered chilminder or nursery in south east london?

[kazzianne]

well he is going to look a bit of a wally taking you to court and then saying he doesnt provide a pennt towards the child isnt he!! I'd call his bluff.

[Booldawg]

first off go to the CSA if he's working he has to pay maintenance. the NCMA is the governing body of childminders in the UK, not sure if their site has any details of reg childminders in your area.

[rishyrish]

We recently quit his job, can csa still help if he claims jsa?

[Booldawg]

The CSA are able to take a portion of his JSA and pay it directly to you. My partner is in a similar situation, she has an 11 year old daughter and her natural father is basically a lazy lay about who survives on the dole purely to stop having to pay maintanence. The CSA said they would take five pound a week from the DHSS and pay to my partner. In a year they have only managed 4 payments, to be honest not really worth it.

[sam82]

try contacting your education department or social services,they will be able eto give you a list of nursery/child minders.

also i would contact the CSA, even just to get things sorted, it may only be a small amount while he is not working but its something and it could entitle you to other benefits.

i would go see your Citizens advice they will be able to advice on all this.

you may not need to struggle, there is others in your position and lots of help out there.

[rishyrish]

can you beliveve he has just sought legal aid, and I have just received a letter from them stating: -

" My client regualry sees his child 5 times a week, and knows of no reason as to why contact has been ceased. Please reinstate contact immediately on Thursday - Friday pm only via a contact centre"

That was a long story cut short! I am so mad any suggestions?