Absolutely gutted..have to pass by my dream job..help

Oldernotwiser

Is your ex partner the children's father because there's be no real reason why he shouldn't share the care of his children even if you're no longer together.

SoniaE

Thank you all for your input..
sjaypink..already on the case!! Ads in paper and online communities.
McKneff..Thank you for your honest answer.
There is an onsite nursery within the hospital grounds, but it opens at 7am and closes at 6, and only Monday to Friday. As far as I can gather, there are shifts available on a 12 hour basis..Thats even worse for me!
As I am only going to be employed as a Health Care Assistant, the pay is not good unfortunately, so the idea of a private nanny is but a dream. I like the idea someone said regarding shared nannying..I will ring the HR department as many of you have suggested, and see if they have any details. I unfortunately do not have room for an aupair either..what a lovely idea!
And oldernotwiser..no hes not, so thats that idea out the window.
Does anybody think that me asking for child friendly shifts etc might be a bit too soon, as Im not 'in' yet til my crb checks done?? I told them at the interview that I was totally flexible..If they knew then that I would be a single parent and not so flexible now, would they have offered me the job? I think not!
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, and I will get on the phone first thing
Sonia

Savvy_Sue

SoniaE wrote: »

Does anybody think that me asking for child friendly shifts etc might be a bit too soon, as Im not 'in' yet til my crb checks done?? I told them at the interview that I was totally flexible..If they knew then that I would be a single parent and not so flexible now, would they have offered me the job? I think not!

You don't know how vital flexibility was to them, so don't go rushing to conclusions. You're likely to have to tell them something at some point: which of the following do you think is most likely to let you take up this dream job?

1. "I can't take the job because I realise I can't get childcare" or
2. "Since I applied my anticipated childcare arrangements have fallen through, so I am unable to be totally flexible. Please could we meet to discuss possible shift patterns?"

It may be that their shift arrangements only work if everyone does a mixture of everything. Or they may be able to offer you a regular pattern. You won't know until you ask, and until you ask you won't know what you actually need from a childminder / nursery.

SoniaE

Hi Sue..yes youre absolutely right. I have tried to contact the lady who is the ward manager, but she is off sick, so I will need to keep trying until shes back in work. I am more than happy to do any shift, its just the childcare thats the problem. I have contacted the Childrens Info Service and they are sending me lists of childcare, so might be someone special I find there!
Thanks again everyone for your comments and advice
Sonia

tandraig

I would actually let HR know that your circumstances have changed since the interview - they obviously want you for the job so may be helpful. anyway, good luck and I hope you can work out the prob - please let us know!!!

bee78

I faced the same problem when i starting working when my son was 3 years old.BUt then i have only one child.BUt i was torn apart to what to do regarding childcare.i don't actually have family here,and very little close friends who will be able to help.My husband even though he tries to help, he couldn't with his job and hours and i felt more resposible for my son. What i did was to mix nursery and childminder.During term breaks and holidays my son would go to childminder's house and during term time he would go to nursery/school.

it was a struggle,but somehow it worked and i made it work.

DCFC79

clairec79 wrote: »

I know a few people who use aupairs to get round shift times in the NHS - do you have a spare room as an option?

using an aupair is good idea but the OP would have to have alot of trust in teh au pair,

LondonDiva

Each trust will have a childcare coordinator, so contact HR and ask for contact info and email / ring to discuss options available for childcare.

Have a look on netmums and mumsnet and ask on the forums about what shift workers do for childcare arrangements.

Congratulations on the job & I would do all you can to do it, as you obviously beat out a lot of people to get it - well done.