My nursery fees are crippling me!

minnie123

Thanks I will ask her but I don't think she can as when we started with her she said she has most children up until 3 when they go to a nursery for their free place.

I am very nervous about him going to a nursery because he is such a shy little boy but I thought if he goes straight to school from the childminders he will be even worse.

skyvicky123

Thanks all for lots of helpful advice. I think £40 per day is about the going rate for nursery.

DD is boisterous, confident and VERY active, so although she is polite etc she needs to have a very busy day to tire her out. Nursery certainly does that!

Although I know many prefer the better ratios and more "family type" environment that a childminder offers, I prefer to more structured nursery environment. Have to say she has thrived - been in since 9 months (was 3 days, then had this arrangement with my friend)

Me and OH actually work together (he is my boss!) We travel together to save on fuel and commute is 1 hour each way so not really any leeway on early / late drop offs.

I think we have reached the decision that I will go back 5 days (1 from home but DD still at nursery) DD will go to nursery FT. Nursery gives us 10% discount for this. My weekends are going to busy jam-packed!:eek:

Plus, will start putting the max into my childcare vouchers account from my salary until July so the fund starts to build up.

skyvicky123

celebrate wrote: »

i paid 600 -700 pounds per month for several years (3 children) -like a second mortgage

would do it all again just to go to work and get a rest from the little bu**ers!

Totally know what you mean - I go to work for a rest too! I did think about childminding myself but TBH I love looking after my little girl but not so keen that I want to look after others as a full time job.

Hats off to childminders...I feel for you!:rotfl:

LillythePink

Jeez.....the recommended rate for childminders over here is £5 to £6 per hour.

If dd was there for a whole week ie school holidays, then I pay £255 pw

Don't get me wrong - they are worth it, but when you compare the cost over here to the UK!!

Charlton_Taz

Blimey...I live in such a stupidly expensive part of the UK. My nursery charges me approx £260 a week! God knows how I will ever afford to have another child! Admittedly there are other ones in the area that would involve a detour of 20 mins morning and night from normal commute which would cost a bit less...about £220-230 a week...but timewise doesn't really work with my job..so expensive one it is!

property.advert

Ours costs just under £1100 a month gross and the 15 hours element is £240 in the months it applies to. I work it out as receiving it 9 months and not 3 months though I know it is 14 weeks or something that it doesn't cover. Averaging it out it comes to 240*9/12=180 a month, reducing fees to £920 a month on average.

It isn't cheap but the cost is sort of a necessary expense. The kids need it and the parents need to work. It can be a huge chunk of change though I do agree.

onlyroz

Yes it's a lot of money, but I think it's worth keeping up your career (even if only part time) so that you don't find yourself back at square one once the kids start school.

For comparison, I'm in Berkshire and I pay £1000 a month for my daughter's nursery, and I pay a child minder £4.25 an hour for collecting my son from school.

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

My Daughters child care is £35 a day - but she's in from 07:30 - 18:00 and this includes 3 meals and 2 snacks and thats one of the best nursery's around my area (North Nottinghamshire)

we are trying for a second baby - at the moment the nursery offer a "reduced" rate if there is a second child in the nursery.

Do you not claim tax credits to help towards child care costs?

property.advert

onlyroz wrote: »

Yes it's a lot of money, but I think it's worth keeping up your career (even if only part time) so that you don't find yourself back at square one once the kids start school.

For comparison, I'm in Berkshire and I pay £1000 a month for my daughter's nursery, and I pay a child minder £4.25 an hour for collecting my son from school.

That is a big calculation. If you chuck the towel in for a few years, you may never get back to where you were nevermind where you would have been and that is potentially hundreds of thousands of pounds lost for a few grand at the outset.

SkintGypsy

I am taking home just about SMP, despite having a decent salary. I decided to go part time days, so 5hrs rather than 7, so that I am not paying after school care for my daughter. It means I pay full time childcare though, as my son's nursery needs span two sessions. I am definitely playing the long game, as I have a good job which is very flexible, very convenient and I know I wouldn't get the same elsewhere if I went back to work after a break. Just hope I don't get made redundant between now and when son starts school!