I just had approval for less than one months worth of childcare approved to spread out over the entire year...I am trying to study an NHS course but the placements make it impossible to work 16 hours to keep my toddlers 15 free hours, and the 20% tax free allowance but I am not entitled to enough support I have to work 16 weeks 40 hours a week for free in the next academic year and then find time to fit in an extra 16 hours of work on top but I won't have child care for those days as it's only provided Monday to Friday and assumes 9-5 working pattern.
I can't work out why I am being awarded less than the maximum as theres no indication that it's a sliding scale anywhere and I have searched so many places. I get the argument of just work and I will in my normal weeks but the childcare service is saying they won't average it out over the year (even though I have already worked enough to earn over the yearly figure this tax year they won't entertain it...) I am so stuck and could use some transparency here as I have around a month until I need to hand my notice in at work and no one is being clear on how I can be helped! Can I use this grant in the summer when I'm on placement July-spet but use my tax free for the rest of the year or if I accept this do I have to drop my free hours and tax free for the whole year?