pain of nursery fees

u751904

I am not expecting sympathy here I know there are a lot of people out there who are worse off than me. I guess I am having a moan out of frustration.

I have one daughter who I adore she is three. I am 35. I earn a good wage better than average (I am the lady of the house ;-) My partner earns a very poor wage in fact he earns just under less than my current nursery bill so on paper it isn't cost effective for him to work. But he needs to work because he likes his work and gives him self esteem. Also I don't think he could cope being a full time dad.

My nursery fees are £144 a week. My daughter is full time 'cause I can't predict when my partner is going to work or not (self employed).

We'd like another child - being honest I don't think I can affort two children in nursery. I get a really small discount for the second child but it is just not practical. The budget is unreasonable.

I am likely to have to wait until my daughter is at school before I can consider another child. I have done my sums and I am going to contact the child tax credit folk to see what help I get. I doubt it will be enough to swing it.

So I am frustrated that I am going to be 37 before thinking of another child. (and I have fertility problems).

No wonder the birth rate is low in this country. It is mad.

I no think that the root that have taken uni career, children later is just not good. The stigma for young moms is over rated and I'd wished I had been in my early twenties when I had my first.

I feel really annoyed that there isn't more assistance to middle income families. I'm not poor enough nor rich enough !

I know I am not alone here.

M

paybacktime2008

Can your employer provide childcare vouchers.this means you do not pay National Insurance on the value of the vouchers....saving you £14 a week.

immoral_angeluk

Being one of the young mums I can tell you it's not much easier at our end of the spectrum either. I'm 23 now and have 2 children ages nearly 4 and nearly 2. I've had to give up my career to raise them and am only just now starting to get myself back on the career ladder by doing voluntary training.
Completely agree with you about the nursery fees though. I can't afford to work and therefore recieve no help from tax credits with nursery fees, even though I have to put them in nursery to be able to do my training which will give me prospects for the future.
Nursery fees are far too expensive and the rules for recieving help too strict if you ask me.

budget_budd

Im in a similar situation but I just wanted to check that you are using your 5 free sessions for 3 year olds. Im going to be getting mine starting in January.

Theogirl_2

Hi, you say you little girl is 3, are you entitled to some free nursery sessions yet? They usually kick in the term after your girl turns three. Eg Sept birthday, you start to see a discount in January.

Nursery vouchers would also be a help if you don't get them already. Another option could be a childminder for when your possible new baby is born as these often work out cheaper.

Have you checked that you and your partner are getting any tax credits you might be entitled too?

Child care costs are horrendous so I sympathize, round here a full time place for a baby is 700 a month! Good luck, sad to have to plan your family on the cost of nursery

pandora205

In most Local Authorities children start school the September after their fourth birthday, so this isn't very long to wait. Have you checked about the age of school entry in your area?

You mention that you get a small reduction. Do you mean a nursery education grant (which is the equivalent of two and a half hours per day early years education?) Many private nurseries charge considerably more than this of course, so this could well be the case. In some areas schools have early years classes (foundation 1 age of 3-4 year olds) where attendance part time is free. Sometimes the schools are located on the same site as a private nursery, which can allow for time to be split.

It isn't easy juggling financially when working I know (as I had three under 5s at one time) and the points you make about fertility are valid. But there are lots of other advantages to be an older parent, such as having confidence with professionals and life experience beyond schools and children. There are also pros (and cons) of spacing children.

I think when finances are stretched it is useful to think of working at a career that has potential as an investment for the future, rather than just as an income.

u751904

immoral_angeluk,

I know finacially none of us find this easy it is just too difficult. The thing with being an older mother is all of a sudden you have the nursery fee equation and a ticking time bomb to contend with. Funnily enough whilst I was aware of the fact I shouldn't push it into my thirties (late) or forties I didn't think of the fact oh I must make sure I have enough time between children to cope with nursery fees. In other words to cost forces you to wait five year between each child unless you can fork out £1000 a month on fees.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

penguin83

I know where you're coming from - my 2 children are 5 and 3 now so only one in nursery but we had 2 years when both where in full time - 1110.00 a month in fees. We didnt qualify for any extra help and at the time my employer didnt do nursery vouchers - twas fun! I was a younger mum (18 and 20 when I had mine) and often thought it would have been easier when I was older and could have been at a point in my career to take a break.

I guess its just as difficult both ends of the spectrum! x x

u751904

pandora205
Where I live in devon the entry is 5. Not sure why it is later here. I forgot about the nursery grant in my gloom. She'll get that in jan I think. The local school does have a nursery attached so I can check that out. Last time I looked it only operated to 3.30pm. I think I sound wingey now. thankyou for the comments It has given me an idea to check out.

I do think that the state should intervene to make childcare more affordable it makes sense given the falling literacy levels, the falling birth rates etc.

paybacktime2008

schools have the statutory obligation to provide fulltime education to children the term before they are 5....i.e 5 in november they start in sept. if the nursery runs til 3.30 a childminder from 3.30 til or when ever may be cheaper. do look into childcare vouchers most large employers offer a scheme. My sympathies to you I used to pay £50 a day nursery fees 7 years ago!!! (London)

u751904

thanks to everyone ... M