Child Care - Any clues?!

MobileAddict

Hi there,

This is a really, really strange question, but my other half and I are in discussions / debates about whether we are going to have a baby or not. He is being all practical about it (god I hate that!) and thinks that we can't afford it.Well, maybe we can't, which is why I'm here!

I'm wondering if anyone can give me ball park figures of how much child care is. Either at nurseries or private care.I know this will differ throughout the country, but I have absolutly no idea what we would be looking at! Now, I know you will probably tell me to call round local nurseries to find out but I simply can't wait until the morning!!

Any help would be gratefully appreciated!!!

Zoe x x x

Mips

For a full day on average I think it's about £25 to £35 dependant on area for a full day.

BUT depending on your joint incomes you will be entitled to help of up to 70 or 80% of your childcare costs - from Tax Credits.

funky-footprints

When i was working i was paying £28 a full day, £18 a half day. My friend pays £32 a full day. (7am - 6pm) that is in South Wales.

MobileAddict

Do you know what the joint income would need to be for tax credits???? Not wanting to sound like some sort of skin-flint, but always happy to hear about how I can ask Mr Brown to help me out!!!

Thanks! x x

Mips

http://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/HomeNew.aspx

fill in your details as if you have a baby and it will give you the answer for what you would get.

Bear in mind it will only give you a figure for the next 9 months though as it runs from April to April.

Just put in your childcare costs for a week, for example, £150.

MobileAddict

I've just done that - super!!!

Does the figure that comes up reflect 1 payment between now and April or a 1 off payment for the year?! £115 won't go too far I shouldn't imagine!!!!!!!!

crispeater

i always believed that if you waited until you could afford kids you'd be too old lmao well i would of been anyway

Mips

MobileAddict wrote: »

I've just done that - super!!!

Does the figure that comes up reflect 1 payment between now and April or a 1 off payment for the year?! £115 won't go too far I shouldn't imagine!!!!!!!!

Divide that between the amount of months between now and next April.. soo... 10 months!

You can deduct pension payments from your wages too.. so if both of you pay £100 a month to your pension schemes.. you can deduct £2400 from your Wages.. plus I don't think you include maternity pay.. so by the time you are ready to put babe into childcare, your wages for the previous year will have dropped.. giving your more Childcare!

You must be on high wages though to get so little help with Childcare costs... mind you.. I have three so get a decent amount paid.

Hope that helps anyways

Mips

Both of you can get Childcare Vouchers from work too which gives you big savings on Tax... do a search for Childcare vouchers on Google or on here... that is worthwhile if you aren't entitled to Tax Credits.

Fourcandles_3

My childminder charges £6 per hour. That includes food and most trips or outings taken, but not all settings provide this. The cost varies also on age. Some settings are cheaper because of the number/staff ratio's. Some settings only take from 2 years others as soon as the baby has had jabs. There are some benifits and allowances available but I do not know the details sorry. I doubt they cover that much though.

You can never afford children, but if you are in real difficulties then I guess it would be financial suicide.

MobileAddict

Thanks so much!! Ah, the joy of thinking about expanding your family and have to work out the finances first.Nothing like thinking things through is there!

I have Mr Brown and the 'credit crunch' to thank for this. Without the press banging on about how skint we all are, I would be 6 months gone by now!!!!!!!!!!!

And I can't get tax credits!!! This is fab!! LMAO!! x x x