hey ladies, im a registerd childminder and would just like to add, that the goverment are ment to be bringing out this new thing where lone parents go to work and the goverment will pay for the childcare costs. ive heard that as i get to know all the goss. not sure if it applies for every where though. i live in the east riding. xx

When I have been looking at nurseries for either of my two children, I have not rang ahead to make appointments, I have just visited them randomly.  I think that this is the best way because then you can see the nursery as it usually would be- not as they might prepare it to look if they know they are having a prospective customer coming to look.

You will probably still get the back to work grant.

Why not train as a childminder?

hi with the childacare side of things i would reccomend that you go and have a look around a few local nurseries give them a ring and make appointments to view and you can find out which 1s have places and compare prices ect also reccomend that you go on the ofsted website and check out the report on each nursery.

when you find the nursery explain your situation and i am sure that they will be happy to hold a place 4 ur children till u r ready 2 start work. they should be able to help u with workin tax aswell and job centre will pay for the 1st few weeks chilcare and then tax credits should b arranged by then.

i am a manager of a day nursery and thats how we do things there and most nurseries r the same. good luck. xx

Iv been on income support for 6 months so probab;y wont get help

That's good hey?

yup they do

if you've been on IS for over a year you get £250 return to work grant and then £40 a week tax free for 52 weeks.

I think the jobcentre help people out with money if you've been claiming over 26 weeks.  Not sure of the most recent scheme they're runnning but it'll probably by on their website or ask for an interview with a lone parent adviser.

hiya im due to start work on monday and been told it'll take about 2 weeks for the WTC to come through. But the job centre will pay the first 2 weeks childminding for me.

Also how long does it take the childcare element of tax credits to come through? x

I have a 21 month old and a nearly 3 month old, my ex dp and i split in March/April time. Anyway im on icome support at the moment but am looking for a job. The thing is iv no idea how to go about getting childcare once i get a job and how on earth im going to pay a month in advance before i have found a job. Also how easy is it to find childcare im worried about the job starting before iv found somewhere. Any advice id be greatful xx