Returning to work

macymoo

Hi
I have DD (5yrs) and DS (2yrs) and Hubby works full time but financially I need to return to work, I am currently on a career break following Maternity leave, work is £16000pa but after I worked out childcare costs and petrol / bus and minused the tax credits that I'd loose it worked out only £10 a week difference and personally I'd rather be at home with kiddies than have an extra tenner.
Called WTC helpline and we are not entitled to any help with Childcare costs so that doesn't help, but unfortunately we need more cash !!
So anymore ideas welcome Cheers

GirlRacer_2

When I was 'trying' to juggle work and children I would have given anything for someone to rely on to either take the children or pick them up from school. Do they have anything like this in your local school? In our school people often advertise.

macymoo

There is a breakfast club and after school club which is great, but DS is only 2 so it will be FT childcare for him and DD in the hols

GirlRacer_2

Yeah I see your point. The only other suggestion is a twilight shift in local supermarket. I know its not a brilliant job but money is money.

Spendless

Does your or your OH firm offer childcare vouchers? You can salary sacrifice upto £55 a week (each of you, if both firms offer this) for the vouchers which are tax and NI free.

What about working in school hours so you only need childcare in hols for your eldest and using a childminder for youngest so you only pay for hours used rather than the set sessions that nurseries are? When is your youngest 3 there is non means tested funding for nursery place of up to 12.5 per week that you could use to help reduce childcare costs.

macymoo

Thanks, I have applied to Sainsburys, Tesco, Asda and B&Q which are all local got letters back basically saying I was over qualified and they didn't want me !! I will ask hubby to find out about childcare vouchers it is a local firm so don't know but it's worth an ask. If I only work school hours I doubt I could earn enough to cover loss of tax credits? Will do some investigating...