Has anyone had to quit work because of childcare problems?

**PeppermintPaddy** · 10-05-2012 22:06

Hi there, following on from my recent issues relating to my son's childcare center two more things have happened! I am furious beyond words and it is unlikely that I will be able to go to work tomorrow.

I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. 1. I need to work part time to financially support us 2. The childcare center does not care about my son and the people running the center are even worse! 3. It is becoming very stressful to the point that I can't even sleep! My son is only 1 and attends two days a week and each time an incident occurs. Today was another. Last week I emailed a complaint and the response was an unsure one to the issue. I'm sorry if I am not making sense, I cannot state the problem fully in case these boards or frequented by workers from that daycare center!

On the other hand I have to wonder if the neglect that keeps repeating is a message loud and clear that they would rather I leave them alone to carry on running a daycare as they do!

Well I just wanted to know if anyone has ever felt like they have to give up work because of childcare? Where I live we have waiting lists across the board that are well into 2014!!!! We are on the lists but all have said there is unlikely to be any movement until next year!

What to do? I know my sons well being is much more important that mine or my work, I wish I didn't worry about my finances so much! If anyone has an answer or has suggestions around this nightmare please let me know. I will appreciate it. Thank you very much

**HugsBunny** · 10-05-2012 22:16

Oh you poor thing! You sound really stressed out

Have you looked at family day care?

**PeppermintPaddy** · 10-05-2012 22:19

yes Bunnyhugs, the waiting lists are as long as my arms! It is just ridiculous, perhaps more people would be in work and stay in work if the infrastructure was supported when it comes to childcare! It is so slack that I can't believe it! Now at the risk of all this I have to question 1. Am I being forced out? I wish I could sue them if I have to give up work! Sure they could afford to pay me a salary!

**HugsBunny** · 10-05-2012 22:22

It can be the same here where I live at the moment.

Do you have another mum friend that could watch your son while you work part time for a fee per day? Or could you trade off with a friend so that you have her child one day and she has yours another?

**PeppermintPaddy** · 10-05-2012 22:25

No, don't have anyone that can help me. My mother lives in the UK and would love to help me and live with us but due to impending health issues Australia will not give her a visa

**Piffle** · 10-05-2012 22:28

Yes I quit my job.

It was a long complicated situation but the pressure was on for me to just get through 12 weeks of full time work to "graduate" to a much more flexible, part time position. My DS was only 6 months and I was an absolute wreck. There weren't any "incidents" at the daycare centre but it broke my heart leaving him with random strangers who didn't love him. I felt sick in the stomach and miserable all the time. I have never felt that bad. DS was sleeping terribly at the childcare centre and he'd often be crying when I went to pick him up. I know it sounds dramatic but I think it was the worst few weeks of my life, honestly. At work all I could think about was my baby. I made it through 8 weeks and then one day just quit cause I felt like I was going to crack. Luckily hubby was very supportive. I was out of work for two months and then got a lovely flexible part time position. By then I had found a family day care spot and it was SO much better - the same carer everyday whom my son came to know, the same 3 other children, the carer is really responsible for her business success so actually CARES and puts effort and love into her job.

I am so glad I quit. Nothing was worth that horrible sick feeling in my stomach I was living with and that missed time with my baby.

I don't know your financial or work situation obviously. But even so I would urge you to consider quitting work. Perhaps to have a month or two to find a better carer (look into family day care, nanny share) and/or more flexible work. I doubt you'll ever regret that kind of decision.

**share a book** · 10-05-2012 22:32

Yep. When my dd hit Prep, my work was flexible so I could work ft in school holidays and take her with me, and work school hours during term time. Then a new company took over, cut out school age care and said anyone unable to work full time on a rotating roster will not be able to sign the new contract. Since then I have done bits and pieces but no permanent job since 2009.

**lil miss** · 10-05-2012 22:43

Yep I had to give up my job because of daycare. I worked full time and had $10 left out of my pay once daycare fees had been paid. On top of that, DD2 was constantly sick. She had never been sick in her life, and since stopping care has not been sick since!

**MsMummy** · 10-05-2012 22:47

I was going to suggest changing centres, but then saw you're stuck on waiting lists. the only suggestion I have about them is phone them regularly as the lists often seem meaningless as places come up unexpectedly. I was on a waiting list and my son's centre for an extra day, and they didn't contact me when more days came up.

the other thing you could try is further afield. When I was looking for new care at short notice for my son, everything in our area was pretty booked out, but there were some other areas with higher vacancy rates, but slightly less convenient.

childcare problems are horrible. My son was kicked out of family daycare on one week's notice when he was almost 3. I was in tears for a week as I couldn't find suitable alternative care. My partner had to reduce from 5 to 4 days, and my thankfully my employer let me work one of my days on a weekend as we could only get one day per week.

we eventually got a second day.

but the upside is the difference in his behaviour at the new daycare is amazing. there are no complaints or incidents, whereas I used to have to listen to the family daycare woman complain every freaking day.

**OJandMe** · 10-05-2012 23:12

Was thinking.... do you think YOU could be a family day care Mum?... if you only have one bub, you could take 3 others... chances are there are lots of Mum's who can't get childcare.... and it would mean you could be at home with your son, as well as earning a (small) income... but you'd have no childcare fees yourself and lots of tax-deductible items (like nappies and educational toys!)

Not sure if it's your thing..... but it's definitely worth looking at if it's a possibility.