Childcare support questions.

Oldernotwiser

I'm sorry that some of us seem unsympathetic but you don't seem to realise that, by most people's standards, you're on a very high income. Plenty of people I work with are in a similar situation to you but earning about half of what you do.

I certainly don't think that your wife should take a year out but I do think you might find a lot of help and encouragement on the DFW board as there are several items on your SOA that could betrimmed quite successfully.

farso

Hi

Have you considered an au-pair? For 80-85 a week you can have up to 35 hours of work. Would save you a lot of money, even if you do have to buy food for them.

£50+ for insurance per month seems very expensive, my home&contents insurance was not much more than double that for a year!

Im afraid I am slightly unsympathetic to your cause, you have chosen to take out credit and then put your wife through a costly affair of having an education. So this thread is basically another "I earn £40k, can i get help from the government for something i cant really afford"

That being said, I do hope you sort it.

Link: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/workandchildcare/aupair/#8

jander

farso wrote: »

Hi

Have you considered an au-pair? For 80-85 a week you can have up to 35 hours of work. Would save you a lot of money, even if you do have to buy food for them.

Sorry not taking any chances with my child, au-pairs are a poor solution IMHO.

farso wrote: »

£50+ for insurance per month seems very expensive, my home&contents insurance was not much more than double that for a year!

London based?

farso wrote: »

Im afraid I am slightly unsympathetic to your cause, you have chosen to take out credit

That was there when she started the child was not. Perhaps you are suggesting she should have had an abortion?

farso wrote: »

and then put your wife through a costly affair of having an education. So this thread is basically another "I earn £40k, can i get help from the government for something i cant really afford"

Careful what you're saying here, we're talking education. You're almost implying that families on lower incomes than mine shouldn't get a shot at it. The way I see it is simple. I pay a huge amount of tax, I support someone who is going to be directly employed by the Government in a couple of years time, I should be getting the *bare minimum* help for childcare ONLY, it's a simple proposition.

farso wrote: »

That being said, I do hope you sort it.

So do I

fuzzybear01

I think there is extra help available through the NHS bursary scheme during the clinical years (3-5) but not sure if this is means tested. I'm a student Nurse in London and don't get any childcare help, even though my husband only earns about 24,000 a year. Unfortunately thats how it goes. How about changing to a childminder that's flexible, to keep costs down when your wife is not in every day of the week. Also I know a lot of medical students that do health care assistant work on the hosptal bank/agency. I know it would be hard but just one shift every couple of weeks could make a difference.

fuzzybear01

Au pair is a bad idea, i've known students to take on Au pairs and take advantage for the au pair to do a moonlight flit leaving them in the poopoo. They are not registered childcare and shouldn't be looking after children full time.

The_Teaahloic

Perhaps your childcare would be cheaper if you considered a childminder!

jander

fuzzybear01 wrote: »

I think there is extra help available through the NHS bursary scheme during the clinical years (3-5) but not sure if this is means tested. I'm a student Nurse in London and don't get any childcare help, even though my husband only earns about 24,000 a year. Unfortunately thats how it goes. How about changing to a childminder that's flexible, to keep costs down when your wife is not in every day of the week. Also I know a lot of medical students that do health care assistant work on the hosptal bank/agency. I know it would be hard but just one shift every couple of weeks could make a difference.

Ah here's where the whole nursery thing came in..We had 2 childminders, both of which left us in the brown stuff, which had a huge impact on my wife. She lost so many lectures and I lost a few days of work. Net result was, she lost June's exams, had to re-sit in September..hence the nursery.

redmel1621

Hi Jander.

Sorry you haven't found a way around your situation at the moment.

I know it seems like people on this board are against you, they aren't really it just seems that you are expecting someone to come along and give you hand outs, even though you are on a relatively high wage! Although I understand your frustrations with the fact you get no help with the childcare costs (I personally think the University should have a system of support even if it is in the form of loans!!)

Nobody on here would expect you wife to have an abortion, however once you have a child unfortunately sacrifices have to be made...I have been studying part-time with the Open University for the last 4yrs and still have another year to go after this one, as there is no way I could have afforded to go to University Full-time. And even when I complete my degree next year I will have to wait a further 2yrs, until dh finishes his 4yr Masters, until I can go and do my Post Grad...(we realise we have to 'take it in turns') And that may even have to wait a year longer anyway until baby 3 (due next month) goes to Nursery.......We will get where we want to be eventually it is just going to take us longer.

Anyway, sorry for the long post, I suppose I just feel frustrated with my own circumstances too...I do know how you and your wife feel!

The main advice I can offer is either, your wife leaves off studying for a year or two until the little-un is in school, any credit she has can be transferred so she will not have to start completely at the beginning again. OR you stop paying nearly £500pm to debtors, and write them all a lovely letter outlining your current income/outgoings and ask them to freeze the interest and allow you to make smaller payments. If you get in touch with cccs or debtplan they will go through your whole finances and maybe offer you a debt management plan. OR have you tried the bank for a career development loan, I am not entirely sure if your wife would qualify for one as an undergraduate but even if it is for just enough to cover childcare fees for the duration of her degree, then you would be far better of financially.

Good Luck

Mel x

PS. I don't think your childcare fees are too excessive, I live ooop north and wouldn't pay a lot less than that for a nursery place up here.

mummytofour

I get my childcare paid via the LEA, can you not get hers paid that way?

fuzzybear01

The money spent on travel cards seems a lot, is there any way of making it cheaper e.g. travelling on the bus some of the way, especially if in zone 1. Also make sure that your wife takes advantage of the student oyster (if not already doing so)