It is always a balance between experiencing the full immersive experience of a PhD – such as attending conferences etc – and finding and paying for childcare, especially if my partner is also busy with work. Having access to government-backed childcare schemes which could help us pay for wrap around afterschool support and childcare would be a big help.
GW4 Childcare Campaign: Veronica's Story
- Name: Veronica Blanco Gutierrez
- PhD Programme: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital Health and Care
- Type of study: Full-time
- Length of PhD: September 2023 – 2026.
- University: University of Bristol
- Children: A six-year-old
- Childcare: Wrap around after school clubs, holiday clubs and childminder
- Childcare fees: £50-70 per afterschool club per term (approx. £200-£280). Holiday clubs – £250 a week over half term. Plus, childminder costs
Veronica’s Story:
“I love research and I wanted to do a PhD for a long time. Since 2013, I have worked for the NHS in various midwifery roles ,working clinically and within research. I have a passion for population health, health inequalities and behaviour change, and I’m also interested in the digitalisation of health services to improve care and health outcomes, particularly in women’s health promotion.
I’m taking a career break to complete my PhD. I spoke to colleagues who were doing a PhD alongside midwife work for their advice – they said if you can afford it then do the PhD full-time. This resonated with me, as I studied for my master’s while working and it was difficult.
Financially, I’m able to do this as my partner has a full-time job, so can contribute to the household bills, however we are careful not to spend too much. We live in Southampton, and I used to commute to Bristol everyday but now do more work from home or remotely. I value the flexibility a PhD allows and will work extra hours at night so I’m able to pick up my daughter after school. However, I’m always careful of how I plan my time, aware that the commuting time often means I’m not able to do the school drop off or bedtimes. It is always a balance between experiencing the full immersive experience of a PhD – such as attending conferences etc – and finding and paying for childcare, especially if my partner is also busy with work. Having access to government-backed childcare schemes which could help us pay for wrap around afterschool support and childcare would be a big help.
When I started my PhD, the majority of us on the programme were female. In the first session we were told about different policies such as sick pay but nothing about maternity leave or childcare support. I think this information should be more openly provided or at least signposted to where we can find out more. This would help with decision-making and help parents make more fully informed decisions.
I would like to have another child but I’m thinking carefully about the best time to do so – for us as a family, logistically with my studies and career and financially.”
Content correct as of February 2024
Share your experiences
As part of our campaign, calling for the government to extend the current undergraduate Childcare Grant to include postgraduate students, GW4 is looking to capture the lived experience of postgraduates with childcaring responsibilities, and to understand how the lack of funding for childcare is impacting students' professional and personal lives. If you've been affected by this issue, and would like to share your story or are interested in being involved in our campaign, please get in touch.
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