Frustrated parents have backed a mum who claims she may have to give up her job up because of childcare issues.
Earlier this month the Wishaw Press revealed that single parent Michelle Jack, 36, was facing an employment dilemma despite three-year-old Abi being eligible for 1140 hours of free early years education.
The mum-of-three from Cleland has been unable to gain a nursery slot that allows her to go to work as well as drop off and pick up Abi and her two brothers.
Single parent Michelle has a limited window to allow her to get the children to school and then the bus to work.
“I put the boys to school and Abi to nursery and then I pick them back up when I finish work,” she said.
“I don’t have anyone to help me out. I’m having to phone work some days and tell them that I can’t come in.”
Michelle’s plight struck a chord with many of our readers commenting on our Facebook page, some said they have found themselves in a similar position.
Sharon Oosterbosch, said: “Good luck, we have the exact same situation, you are lucky they are offering three time slots we have the option of two, and being at the school/nursery four times a day for pick up and drop-offs.
“I would have taken your arm off to be offered 9am to 3pm, same as the school.”
Adorna Cerretti Sharon, said: “Same here – before the pandemic our kids’ nursery said we’d get hours to accommodate school times also, but can’t honour it now due to everything going on so we’re just making it work best we can as we have no choice.”
Stephanie Elizabeth McCrossan, said: “So many in the same boat!”
Early years worker Lorraine Daily, added: “I don’t think the hours help anyone get into work. Who in this day only works in the morning or afternoon?”
Miriam Bell insisted that the local authority is failing to meet the Scottish Government’s GIRFEC (Getting it Right for Every Child) policy.
She said: “This is happening to parents all over the Wishaw area, we had to give three options that were all refused.
“We then gave two further options that were also refused.
“ I was told the only option for my daughter was to go to a nursery that isn’t built yet and is at least a 30-minute walk away from where we live.
“North Lanarkshire are not getting it right for every child, and the response I was given when I phoned to discuss the matter was there are many parents in the same situation.”
Other parents queried whether the 1140 funded hours could be split between a childcare providers. Ashley Schivas said: “The hours as far as I’m aware can be split between nursery and childminder so could arrange for childminder to collect at end of session until 3pm.”
A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council, said: “We are pleased that around 7500 nursery-aged children are now benefiting from the new childcare arrangements, which have been implemented ahead of schedule and despite the challenges posed by coronavirus.
“If a parent/carer is now looking to split their placement but did not ask for this on their original application then they will need to submit a new one. This application will then be considered as a late application.
“Following a tender process last year, 190 funded providers – from the private providers and childminding sector – were successful and are now on our framework to assist in the delivery of 1140 hours of early years and childcare provision to all three and four year olds and eligible two year olds in North Lanarkshire for a stated value over a period of three years.
“The council receives as a set amount of funding each year for private providers to deliver 1140 hours.
“That funding has now all been allocated. It is however a fluid situation and the funded provider, to whom the parent/carer submitted an application will keep them updated should the position change.”
