I’m a single mother and I’m left with actually nothing. I’m on UC and I get child benefit and I have a healthy start card which I have using for any food and nappies we need.

I was working with my work coach at the job centre. They can get you on work related programmes or courses and then PAY for a personal laptop because it's 'supporting' you back into work. Speak to the GP and find out if you can get signposted. Plenty of charitable organisations that can provide food, white goods, new and second hand. Food bank. Lastly, take a look at household support fund. You might need a social prescriber or GP or any professional, to write a supporting letter. You can apply up to a few times a year. I know this because I've been there. Message me if you have any questions. I'm now back at work part time but I've accessed lots of resources out there when I was struggling.

How old are your children? Children over the age of 2 can get up to 15 hours free childcare with nursery or childminder whether parents working or not. Plus anything more than that, if you are employed, UC will cover up to 85% of your childcare. X

@Mel 3 and 1 it says in her post

@Mel you can only get the free hours if you are working. I know because neither I nor my husband work, so we have to wait until our little boy is 3 for him to get the 15 free hours.

@Rachel that’s incorrect hun, I don’t work and all 3 of mine who are older than 2 have or get 15 hour funding, you both have to work to be entitled to 30 hours though if you and dad are in a relationship

The thing is. The nurseries around us want you to have two full days. Which is around £300 a month and that includes the 15 hours free and that’s for 1 child. Tbh though I won’t put my 1yo in nursery until he can properly tell me about his day.

Is your statement correct?x

So I can ask for help for them to help me with a decent laptop? What laptop did you get x

@Kiera what do you mean ? X

You have rent, 2 children, 1 adult on your claim? You are able to get the 85% on UC for childcare, plus help paying the deposit xx

@Daisy yes but my little boy is only 2, so we are not entitled to any free hours as we don't work.

@Rachel you are entitled to 15hours funding the term after they turn 2, as both of you don’t work you will still only be entitled to 15 hours when he turns 3 as well,apposed to the 30 hours he is entitled to funding now

@Rachel https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-childcare-if-youre-working

@Kiera okay I need to check that out. I didn’t know about that. And yes I have rent, 2 children and myself on my claim x

Is there any chance you would want a business from home? In the first year you don't have to earn a pound and still can get free 15 hour childcare. But if you don't want to put your youngest little one to childcare that's fine too just makes it a bit harder for you.

@Daisy yes & we are waiting until he is 3 to put him in nursery x

@Kinga I would love that. Even whilst I look after my little one. I used to wfh with my kids before but because management changed and my boss went to a different company. (she was a single mum herself and was big on giving mamas a chance) they now want everyone in the office every day. So I resigned.

@Rachel but that’s not what you originally said, you stated you wasn’t entitled to 2 year funding because neither of you work which is incorrect information

@Daisy it's not though because we have looked into it ourselves & we are not entitled to any free hours until our little boy is 3. Medical professionals have looked into it for us as well, so we know the rules.

You can just create something for yourself and register as a business, you don't have to rely on someone else. This is the best part. I did this myself and soon start my business 😊

Well, as far as I know everyone, employed or not are entitled to 15 hours free childcare after a child turns 2, of course that only applies to term time so it works out around 11 hours per week. I believe that only applies to nurseries that charges at the standard rate. I send my daughter to a private nursery so it is a lot more but I'm still entitled to the 15 hours and anything more and they will cover 85% (provided I am working) The 85% only applies to working parents. And, there is a cap, so you can't just work say 5 hours and have child in nursery for 30 hours for example, but they will take into consideration travel time, pick up and drop off time so you can go slightly over. The job centre funded for me to get a basic aces laptop. It has all the essential basic functualities needed to do a course through the job centre. The course is a type of programme that helps people back into work.

If you have less than £2000 in savings then you are entitled to household support fund. You can get £300 in vouchers to use in the supermarket. I'd suggest you look into it. The job centre will also pay nursery fees in advance. They want people back in work. So they will support you whatever way they can. I would strongly advise getting an appointment with your work coach. Are you seeing one at the moment?

@Kinga I need to research this xx

@Mel I literally had an appointment with my work coach today and I said to him I’m struggling financially and would like to get a part time wfh job but my laptop isn’t working and I have no money to save up for one and he was like 😐 So unhelpful. Literally said “I’ll just book you another appointment for December”