Childcare

abby1234519

Me and my partner are planning a baby...BUT

In my area childcare at a nursery is around £145 per week full time.

Is there a cheaper way to do this as thats £580! I earn £15000 a year, I bet it would be worth being a part time mum and still have more money left over. My partner is a baker so finishes work at 2.30pm
I just don't want to shell out £580 a month and would want to go back to my job after 3 months because my job is very important to me, yes so would having a child however the harder I work then the better life my family can have in a few years.

Yorkshire-Lady_3

In your case, I'd recommend a childminder who will charge you or the hours used rather than a full daily rate. This is because your partner could pick up around 3pm.
You may also get up to 70% of your fee's paid for via child tax credits.

Y-L

hulagirl79

hi
I would also look into a part time nanny with either their own child or a full time job where the kids are at school, not as an expensive option as people think and you can use the child tax credits but they must be ofsted registired.

good luck

Spendless

Have you looked to see if you get help with childcare costs from tax credits? If you don't, does either of your employers offer childcare vouchers.

I also agree with looking at a childminder that charges hourly rather than paying all day at a nursery when your OH could pick baby up. I've come across a couple of nursery's that do offer flexible hours but they are rare.

onlyroz

£580 a month is actually quite cheap. But if you're on low income you can claim childcare vouchers, working tax credit and child tax credit, which should ease the situation.

Krystaltips

And don't underestimate a maternal desire to stay off work as long as possible!

Smashing

Adopt a granny and exploit her for free childcare. You can pay her in shortcake and tea.

jackomdj

Smashing wrote: »

Adopt a granny and exploit her for free childcare. You can pay her in shortcake and tea.

I need one of these - we have 2 but neither of them are very maternal!

consultant31

Smashing wrote: »

Adopt a granny and exploit her for free childcare. You can pay her in shortcake and tea.

I'm sure this was said with tongue in cheek, but it's one of my pet hates. Why should a Gran be expected to look after her grandchildren?

I'm a very new Nanna (just over 4 weeks in) and I absolutely adore my little Grandson, but I have always made it very plain to all my children that, when the time comes for them to have their own children, I would not be there as either paid or unpaid childcare on a regular basis.

I will have him for a day or so at any time and, in fact, am actively looking forward to my first day which is to be next week. But I've had my children, brought them up, done the school thing, the after school thing and every other thing and I don't want to do it again.

Does this make me an awful Mum? I do hope not as I really love my children and am eagerly awaiting more grandchildren, but now that I'm retired I want some 'me' time.

Sorry for the rant, will sit back and wait to be slaughtered

smileykylie_2

My mum looks after my nieces and nephews one day a week and has even changed her work hours to do so. She absolutely loves it and NEVER feels like she is being taken advantage of. My sister and brother never asked but she felt it was something she could do to help them out. I think she enjoys it a lot more than she thought she would and she has the most lovely close relationship with her grandchildren which is the reason she really does it.
Each to their own, but I think it is a lovely thing to do to have some 1-1 time with your grandchildren to build a close bond.

buxtonrabbitgreen

consultant31 wrote: »

I'm sure this was said with tongue in cheek, but it's one of my pet hates. Why should a Gran be expected to look after her grandchildren?

I'm a very new Nanna (just over 4 weeks in) and I absolutely adore my little Grandson, but I have always made it very plain to all my children that, when the time comes for them to have their own children, I would not be there as either paid or unpaid childcare on a regular basis.

I will have him for a day or so at any time and, in fact, am actively looking forward to my first day which is to be next week. But I've had my children, brought them up, done the school thing, the after school thing and every other thing and I don't want to do it again.

Does this make me an awful Mum? I do hope not as I really love my children and am eagerly awaiting more grandchildren, but now that I'm retired I want some 'me' time.

Sorry for the rant, will sit back and wait to be slaughtered

I agree. I already have 3 grandchildren and another on the way. I have no desire to be the childminder either. I still work full time and will be doing so for the next 8 years.