Flexible working
All employees in the UK have a legal right to request flexible working . You can request to make changes to your contract from your very first day of employment . You can make two requests within a 12-month period and your employee will need to make a decision within two months . All of the details can be found via the Government ' s website : gov . uk / flexible-working / applyingfor-flexible-working
Your right to take time off work
Did you know that if you ’ re employed , you have a right to take a reasonable amount of unpaid time off to deal with emergency situations that affect your little one ? This is called ‘ Time off for Dependants ’ or ‘ Emergency Family Leave ’. You can also request unpaid parental leave for non-emergency situations . Speak to your employer to find out about the policies they have in place for parents . For more information about your rights as a parent , visit the Working Families website : workingfamilies . org . uk
The most important meal of the day
Studies show that eating a healthy breakfast can positively impact children ' s physical development , concentration , academic ability and behaviour . So make sure a yummy , filling meal is planned , whether your child has it at home or at a breakfast club . Looking for healthy grub on a budget ? Go to page 18 to find out about our webinar with the Lunchbox Doctor
Nap club
Wraparound care is not the same as an after-school club , which is for activities and hobbies . Your school might choose not to run any after-school clubs for the first few months of your child ’ s first term – reception children are usually too exhausted !
Free school meals
England : In state-funded schools , children in reception , Year 1 and Year 2 get free lunches . In London , all children in state-funded primary schools get free school meals . Wales : All children in primary schools get free school meals . Northern Ireland : Children only get free school meals if they ’ re eligible due to low family income or other benefits .
What ’ s on the menu ?
School lunch policies can vary quite a bit . Some schools provide free meals and don ’ t allow lunchboxes , while others let children bring in food on the days they don ’ t like what ’ s on the menu . There are also schools that allow your child to pick what food they want on the day , some that ask parents to choose in advance , and others that have a set menu for everyone . Be sure to check before wrapping up sandwiches on the first day !
Find out if you ’ re eligible for further support
England : gov . uk / browse / childcareparenting / financial-help-children Wales : gov . wales / children-families Northern Ireland : nidirect . gov . uk / information-and-services / expecting-or-bringing-children / financial-support-parents-andchildren
Photos / Illustrations : Shutterstock . com / Vitalinka , SolStock / istock . com , Freepik
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