Community Posts, Tips & Support on Childcare & Education

Hi everyone, I need to come back soon to work, and I would like to ask if someone's knows if you need to work for a minimum period of time to get the 15 free childcare hours or you can get it on maternity leave. I looked at the website, but it is not clear to me. Thank you, everyone.

Hi All, I’m hoping someone who’s returned to work already could help as I’m a little confused about the free hours for nursery! I know it states 15 hours a week but that’s over term times ain’t it when we work all year so does anyone know how many actual hours a week it is? And does it cover the fees for the day ev...

We’re about to move our little guy into full time daycare because we can’t affford to live on one income. I’m so anxious and nervous about it! Anyone have any positive stories to share about their babies in daycare?

Currently on mat leave for my baby who is 4 months. My older is in daycare but everytime gets sick and has been getting baby sick too. To the point of baby getting fevers none stop and having congestion to the point of discomfort and mucus build up. Can’t tolerate the sicknesses but can’t afford a nanny and don’t wa...

Hello beautiful Mamas! I just started home schooling my kids this school season! We have a few more months left of this school year and I am loving this time with my kids. Unfortunately going from full time public school to home schooling has been really hard socially. Where do local Colorado homeschool moms hang ou...

Alright mamas, I’m a new-ish mom and my oldest just turned 3. I don’t know what I am doing but I know I want to homeschool. When should I start and what are some good resources for homeschooling littles? Really any advice is welcome 😅

Is anyone else trying to receive the child benefit/family allowance? I applied the beginning of December (baby was born 29-11-24 but had complications so didn’t do it straight away) I’m having major problems trying to get through or claim it!

How does one fit in self care or one on one time with their kids when you have three little one ranging in ages. I need advice on how to manage that, I get so overwhelmed and don't have a personal break,or relaxation time when hubby keeps the kids occupied

My little boy will be starting nursery in September 2025, 3 days per week (30 hours). He will be 1 year 1.5 months. I’d assumed with the new funding from September 2025 I’d only be paying for the non-term time hours, and lunches on the days where the funding applies. However, my nursery are saying because I’m on...

I’m considering going back to work which means I need to put my 21 month old to nursery. I believe if my partner and I both work, she gets 15 hours free nursery? Also, how does the process of applying to nurseries work? If I was to start work in a months time, would my toddler also be able to start nursery around ...

When are you planning to go back to work? What baby sitting arrangements are you thinking of utising (e.g. nursery, child minder, etc)?

What does your babies schedule look like? I feel like we don’t have much of one and feel like we need to get going on it before she goes to daycare in a few weeks but idk how to not just follow her lead, everyday is a little different. She doesn’t really go down for the night until like 1130, waking around 3 & 6 am ...

I’m wondering what everyone is thinking about school for our Summer babies. Are you planning to send them to school at 4 (starting September 2027), or are you thinking about requesting deferred entry to wait until they’re 5? I’m not sure if 4 is too young, and would love to hear if anyone has older kids who went th...

Hi everyone. Just looking for any experiences people have of nursery places. As a teacher, I'm hoping to put baby in nursery term time only. When I go back to work baby will be 9 months old and I will be using the government funded 30 hours. I live in West London and there are many nurseries in the area but every nu...

My boy has just started a new nursery and the other day at pick up they mentioned he’d been watching something. We were quite late picking up but I don’t know if it’s a one off. He never used to watch anything at the old nursery and I can’t decide if I should say something.. what do you think?

How many days is your little one in nursery\childminder/school at the moment?

It’s the one thing I’ve not stopped thinking about since having her. My daughter turns 4 mid august and will start full time school 2 weeks later. I’m so anxious about it being a lot for her, that she’ll be knackered and not having any days in the week at home with me. Also with it being the summer holidays right be...

My kid is sp bright but so shy...wondering what everyone thinks about delaying school? I'm so tempted to...

Hi everyone, Can anyone recommend a good forest nursery in Edinburgh? Corstorphine Hill Kindergarten is the nearest to us but we can’t find much information online about it. Many thanks!

So we are planning to do multiple nursery viewings soon... Can you please share the necessary things we should ask upon inquiry? I already have a note with me but would be nice to know your thoughts and opinions in case I forgot something 😄☺️