Hi,
I am pregnant and due to give birth in a couple of weeks.
I am so confused and alone!
Can someone please advise me on childcare, education...where i could register my baby for creche, nursery around Battersea as I am really worry not to find a place and to be too late.
Also who I should get in touch with regarding financial help as I will be on my own looking after my little one and been told that nurseries are very expensive!
Sab
Hi Sab
Congratulations on your pregnancy, I know everything feels really daunting right now, however don't let it overwhelm you. Everything will fall into place.
Firstly have you done our Life Check Tool? See the Blue box on the left? This should help you get started with what you need to do.
You can also contact our online Money expert who can help you with what you can claim and how to go about it.
Sally is about to tell you more information.
Hello Sab and welcome to One Space and congratulations on your impending birth 
My heart goes out to you at this time, your post reminded me of when i had my son (now 15) i did not know where to go or what to expect, and sad at being very alone and the lost dreams of what i had imagined my life would be like when i had children as i was growing up.
Do you have someone that is supporting you? coming to antenatal appointments or someone that will be supporting you during the birth?
In response to your questions about childcare, i am assuming that you work? how long are you intending to wait until you go back to work after the birth as this would give you more time to find adequate childcare? You can ring your local Family Information Service, who will be able to give you a list of all registered childcare providers in your area, they also have all information about mother and toddler groups, parenting groups, and most other services that would be off benefit to parents.
I have two numbers depending on whether you come under Lambeth or Wandsworth Bourgh Council will determine which one you would need to call for Lambeth call 0845 601 5317 and for Wandsworth call 020 8871 7899
Financial help would depended on your circumstances, if you are working you could apply for Working Tax Credits there number is 0345 300 3900, once you have had your baby you will be able to apply for Child Benefit there helpline number is 0845 302 1444.
Depending on your income etc you maybe able to claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit, for this you would need to contact your local council. Please do keep in contact and let us know how everything goes.
Hi Anna,
Many thanks for your email of support and advice!
Much appreciate it.
I haven't done the Life Check Tool.
Going to go on it right away and contact online your online expert as suggested.
Best,
Sab
Good luck, the Life Check tool is still in its early stages, so any feedback would be great please
Hello Sally,
Many thanks for your email sharing your experience with me and for give me all the details of places I should get in touch with!
Much appreciate it.
To answer to your questions, I have nobody supporting me. I have a work colleague who will be supporting me at birth.
I am on a flatshare with one other and I come under Wandsworth Bourgh Council.
I work full time as a receptionist from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and I not meant to return to work for 39 weeks.
I definitely will let you know how everything goes!
Best,
Sab
Hello,
Thanks a lot for your email of support and for sharing your experience with me it does help!
Much appreciate it!
Best,
Sab
Hi Anna,
I tried the Life Check tool which doesn't seem to apply to me since it's asking me questions about my actual children that I cannot answer since I don't have any yet?
Hi Sab, thank you for the feedback, hopefully some of the life check tool will be useful?
Will you stay in the flatshare when the baby is born?
Hi Anna,
Just went on the life check tool again and managed to carry on answering to the questions which took me to some results that I found very useful!
It is actually another issue that i have regarding the flatshare since I am expecting everything changed and my flamate is not quiet pleased with the situation!
For the time being I will stay when the baby is born as we both on contract until end November but then my flamate made me understand that she has no intention to renew to live with me and the baby.
I am so worry not to be able to find anywhere else affordable and suitable for me and my baby!
I have applied for Housing which ones replied sending me a letter that I am not quiet sure how to interpret!
They saying that it is unlikely they will be able to assist me in the foreseeable future and they have people in a greater housing/medical need!
I have been given 95 points and they put me on a general needs queue.
Hello Sab
There is a long list of things to "sort out" when you are having a baby and everything changes in your life. In that respect it is good that pregnancy lasts nine months!
Housing, seems as if there is not a lot of hope there of social housing.At least you have until November so no rush at the moment but once those first months with the baby are over, I am thinking that you will be looking or private rented accommodation.One thing you could consider is sharing with another single mum, we hear of it more and more lately.
Hopefully you will hear from our Money Expert shortly (I see that you said you contacted them) and can sort finances out re the baby.
How are you feeling healthwise? Your due date is nearlyt here! You must let us know how you get on and the good news when the baby arrives!
Hi Sab
Have a look at this Flatshare with other single parents it is a London based website, it would be brilliant if you could find someone in a similar position to yourself, then you can support each other
Of course you need to be careful that these adverts are genuine and keep yourself safe if you visit anyone, make sure someone knows where you are going, if possible take your friend with you.
Hello, I'm also a single mother and I get child benefit (paid weekly) child tax credit (paid monthly) & child support from baby's father (paid monthly) this must be paid by father if they are on birth ceft, weather your in contact or not. I do not work so been told I'm not entitled for help paying towards nursery, hope this is of some help- all the best with labour & baby :) x