Community Posts, Tips & Support on Childcare & Education

My little girl is starting nursery 1 September. She will be 13 months old. When do I apply for the 15/30 hours code? I’m British but hubby is here on spousal visa (South African). Would she be entitled to the 30 hours? My husband and I are both working. Anyone in the know please please comment. It’s all so con...

If I pay £660 a month in childcare fees to a nursery. How much will I get back from Universal Credit if they pay up to 85% of it?

This is our 6th transfer (5th resulted in our daughter 18m ago) and I forgot how bloody hard the 2WW is! I know all the stuff that I would tell people - distractions, walks, all the usual stuff. But argh, it’s hell!

Not children related at all, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of jobs that would be suitable for when my little one starts nursery. It would have to be school hours, with school holidays off as we have no family support around us. I’ve only ever worked in the NHS which I don’t want to return to as it does...

Any one else emotional about their littles ones starting school nursery? He’s not 3 until 16th April but they brought him in early, he started on Monday and I was a mess 😂

Hiya so this is my first child and he’s in nursery. He’s currently 2 he’s 3 in June. I’m unsure when I should start looking for primary schools and when to apply? Can anyone in the UK help me out. Thank you! X

Does anyone know if you are entitled to free childcare once a child has been diagnosed or claims DLA? Without having to work? I know that you can claim the free 15 hours for working parents or 85% by universal credit if you are working but I’m just wondering if the situation changes if you have any of these and not...

Has anyone used a SNS? If so any recommendations/tips?

Hi! I want to apply for the 15hr free childcare on the GOV website but I cannot seem to confirm my identity. I am from EU with a permanent settlement status, but I do not have UK passport. The other option is credit reference questions but I neither of these apply so I cannot use the services. Can I get my partner t...

I’m looking for ways to keep my 9mo entertained whilst I’m working. I’ll be going back to work part time in a couple of weeks and I work from home. I am not technically meant to have my baby during work hours but I have had a bit of a hard time finding a childminder. My SIL will have him for the first couple of week...

Recommendations for a baby changing pad in the nursery please. The basket ones look like they’ll be a bit inconvenient with changing? I could be wrong! What does everyone suggest?

My children both go to a daycare facility & even with state assistance to lessen the monthly fees it’s hard for me to afford it. I don’t have any friends or family who can help me either. What has everyone else done to afford childcare in order to work full time? -One stressed mama

My husband just shipped off for army training and it’s 8 weeks until we reunite with him! My kids godmother gave the suggestion of doing new crafts each week and making a book for him to see what they did! Love the idea but looking for inspo as to what the kids can do/make each week ☺️

I work from home full time, and the past 4 days our day care has cancelled on us due to not having power. They aren’t expecting to get power back until Thursday night and I am struggling so bad… I’m falling behind at work and I’m nervous my boss is going to start noticing 🥲 Please send help

Has anyone had problems with UC paying back the 85% childcare hours? I’ve been back and forth with them and they’ve said it’ll go in on the 1st and it hasn’t gone in? HELP

Does anyone have their children in the Trinity school,Barnes farm or Tyrrels primary school? Can I have your opinions, please?

What kind of questions would you recommend asking on school open days when deciding which one to send your child to?

What's the process of applying to schools for our June 22 babies? Do we receive some sort of communication to start the process? When do we start going to school open days and actually applying etc? FTM and got no idea how it all works!

Hello can anyone recommend any Saturday childminders in Luton. I have looked online but most don't seem to operate on a weekend🥹 Thanks in advance xx

Hi I broke up with my husband a year ago and I’m getting universal credit in addition to my earnings from working part time. Now my ex partner lost his job and won’t be able to pay any child maintenance anymore 😳😳 how does that work? Will they increase my universal credit payment ?? I’m really worried cause we…