Offered a job but can't pay first months nursery fees

bextas

Hi all,
I have a real issue. I've been on jsa for a few weeks and have just been offered a full time job paying £21k. I have a 2yr old and have found a lovely nursery but they require his fees paid a month in advance of £700. I won't get paid from my new job until the end of January. My partner works but we've not been in any position to save money so I think I have no alternative but to decline the job offer and carry on with jsa which for the sake of one months fees is crazy but I don't know what else to do? Any suggestions? I can't get a loan due to poor credit and have no family who could help.
Thanks

FutureGirl

Is there not another nursery you could go to?

Or a child minder or something for the month?

Can your OH take 2 week holiday or something? At least that will only mean needing to pay for half the fee's?

Gladioli

Speak to the job centre and they may be able to help you with the first months childcare as a loan that you pay back?

bextas

Thanks guys tried all those options all daycare providers want a month upfront and oh has no holiday left until April. It's such a good job and I was so excited but I have no choice but to decline it ��

SeduLOUs

Ideally other half would take some annual leave to try and cover some of it off, or perhaps borrow some money from friends or family.

Do you or partner have or can you apply for a credit card with which to pay the fees? Perhaps explain the situation to your bank and ask for a temporary overdraft facility?

As an absolute last resort I'd even consider looking at a payday loan type company, but only once you've exhausted every other viable option - the fees are fairly reasonable as long as you pay back on time, and in my opinion it's a far lesser evil than having to turn down full time work for what is a relatively small amount of money in the grand scheme of things.

ShakeItOff

Is this not going to be a problem you would have with every job offer (to perhaps a greater or lesser extent)? It seems a shame to reject the job.

Is there anything you can sell to work up to £700? Are there no benefits that could help?

Gladioli

Try Christians against poverty as they have a fund for this sort of thing, also if you are a housing association tenant call them as they may have a fund, or they may be able to point you in the right direction. Also you should be able to appeal the decision of the job centre not to help you. They are tasked with getting people into work and they have a discretionary fund that they can use.

Can you delay the start date until April so that you partner can take leave, or can he take unpaid leave?

MERFE

It may even be worth speaking to the manager at your new job, you may be able to get an advance at least for some of it. When my husband started his new job in March he went from weekly to monthly pay and they advanced him £400 which we paid back in 2 instalments so we could get caught up. If you explain its for the nursery fees they may be able to help.

lillibet_dripping

If you are on jsa and are offerred a job but decline it, won't they stop your payments?

January2015

Crisis loan from Job Centre?

PlymouthMaid

This seems such a shame but £700 is a lot of money to find. I hope you can raise it somehow but otherwise do speak with the employer and ask if they can advance wages - otherwise so long as you have that job offer in writing I would go for a Payday loan (I never thought I would type that) but make sure you pay it back in full the first month. I am sure you will do anything possible to be able to take this post so Good Luck.