child care costs belfast / dundonald area

missma

Hi,

Currently looking into childcare costs. Possibly east belfast / dundonald area. I am currently pregnant with first child and also sale agreed on house. Not bought just yet....long story. Anyway trying to look at budget. We are thinking childcare 3 days per week, though I work shifts which complicates things. Have looked a bit into childcare vouchers. Any advice , ideas of costs be much appreciated.

Thanks

warmhands.coldheart

Shifts do complicate things especially with day-care centres and if you work evenings/late afternoons as most will be closed by 5:30pm ~ 6:00pm
You'd need to be a bit more specific on what your shifts are..
If your work offers Childcare vouchers and your carer is fully registered etc then they will be able to accept vouchers.... saves TAX for you..
Costs can vary depending on provider as so their Holiday and sickness policy around if you do or do not pay....
here's an example of some fees taken from a Belfast Nursery
Full-time Weekly £172.50 (About £4.30/hr for a 40hr Week)
Full-time Daily £40.00
Part-time Weekly £130.00
Part-time Daily £27.50

Childminders can vary but there is guidance on NICMA Website
"In 2014/15, the suggested Childminding charges set for full time childcare by NICMA’s Childminding Advisory Council [made up of working Childminders] are a minimum hourly rate of £3.20 per hour per child. Part time places may be charged at an enhanced hourly rate. This does not take into account regional variations."

missma

My shifts are a nightmare, as I can do some shifts every week from one morning to next morning, can also do 2-9 or morning shifts. Due to my position will always have to do one or two of the sleep in shifts a week. Plan is that other half who works city centre will do some of the pick ups.

Old_Git

should you do working shifts at the moment

missma

Not much option when working in social care. Longer term plan would be to get something with better hours. A lot social care posts now temporary and when change employer often start at bottom of pay bracket, potentially 6 k plus drop in wages, losing things like maternity pay and also dropping 2 weeks annual leave.

Old_Git

missma wrote: »

Not much option when working in social care. Longer term plan would be to get something with better hours. A lot social care posts now temporary and when change employer often start at bottom of pay bracket, potentially 6 k plus drop in wages, losing things like maternity pay and also dropping 2 weeks annual leave.

but are you suppose to work shifts when you are up the duff

giplet

I would add that with nurserys and usually childminders too, you will have to pay whether you use them or not, so if your shift patterns change, your childcare will still need to be paid regularly

missma

Yea hoping to book like three days and try to work round them. Husband works flexible which help a bit

pixiecheeks

I'm in Dundonald and a childminder is around £30 a day, but that's 9-5 hours. Not sure if working part time you are eligible or if its worth your while getting childcare vouchers, but I'm sure there are others here that will know. I think if you do find a childminder that will work round your shifts, it may work out more than £30 though.

I'm off on maternity leave myself and for my husband and I who both work full time and use the Employers for Childcare scheme, the saving is roughly £80 a month each sacrificing the maximum £243 a month through payroll.

A daycare just down the road from us is about £40 a day so there is a bit of a difference in costs, but you definitely have to shop around.

missma

Thanks for that information, probably thinking of using regular enough hours and trying to work round shifts, with husband doing some collections. We are thinking of buying in Dundonald though worry about traffic. You may have seen my other thread