Child care and jobs...?

[SassyMummy]

At the moment, I'm a full-time SAHM single mother of a 9.5 month old. I live with my mother...STILL...because I'm unsure if I can really afford to move out yet.

Anyway, if I were to get a full-time job, I'm sure I'd be financially better off. I'd be able to move in with DP and afford to do a few "extras" (he's an apprentice so his wage is a joke!) here and there.

I won't try and get a job before next year because we're going away over Christmas and I don't want to have to negotiate time-off in a NEW job...that's expecting a bit much when you're newly hired...I'd also like more time at home with DD first...anyway...

I am mainly concerned with childcare in relation to getting a job. I DO NOT HAVE A JOB waiting for me...I will have to both find childcare AND get a job. I can't afford to put DD into childcare whilst I TRY and get a job, and I can't get a job and NOT put her into childcare. Is there any way I can apply for childcare, but not actually put her into it UNTIL I have a job to go to? I don't want them to go "yep, we have a vacancy now" and me have to put her in there and just do my best to get a job quickly.

Is there any way I can do it?

[carls]

When I enquired about childcare she said that I had to enrol him and gave me a list of days that were available. You can put bubs down for those days but dont have to go, you can cancel. Its when bubs STARTS attending and doesnt make it that you have to pay anyway. I think thats what I made of what she said!!

[Illusional]

Thats pretty much right.
You do need to enrol her and select what days you would like, so that you are guranteed a position (provided they dont have a waiting list), but you can make the starting date whenever you like.
(if you arent sure on days - they will sometimes allow you to leave it open and will inform you which days they will definately be able to offer you etc)

ie: If you think that it could take you 2 months to get a job - then put her starting date as somewhere around the two month date.
If you do manage to get a job sooner - then you just basically need to ring the centre and as them to bring her start date forward.

Do check with the daycare on this though as some operate under different rulse obviously. Explain the entire situation to the co-ordinator and you will find most of them are extremelly helpful and understanding (if they arent - Find another daycare lol)
But from my experience, they 'hold' a place for your child until they actually start attending the centre.

[Issey]

It can be a real catch 22 can't it :banghead:

I put my son's name down at many centres as they all had waiting lists, perhaps do that for different times and just cancel if they ring you and say they have a place and you aren't in need of it.

Some places you have to pay a deposit though, I had to pay $50 just to put my son's name down and a further $100 to confirm his start date. They are not all like that though. I was lucky to get a full-time place for bubs BUT I don't want to go back full-time but that is what my job is so I have to look for something part-time later so I don't lose the day care spot until I know what days I want.

I hope you are able to have a positive outcome :D