Can I claim

Darksparkle

garry81 wrote: »

We do not believe it should be any different for us, I am prepared to make do with less, but it is a bit of a dilemma and I just wanted to make sure I understood the situation properly as it is a big step and not something to take lightly.



I do believe it is important for children to interact, it has helped the child when interacting with people and developed her volcabulary alot in the time she has been going.

Darksparkle - I just wanted to make sure about one point, the child was 3 in June and so will be 3 when she goes back in September, is it the case the near enough all 3 and 4 year old get the free 15 hrs childcare a week paid by the government.

She has been going to childcare since last September (when she was 2) and had got 15 hrs free since then, I just ask as the mother is under the impression that if moving in with me we will lose the 15hrs free and have to pay for them.

She only got it free when the child was 2 because she was on IS.

All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15hrs free childcare (for 38 weeks of the year).

pmlindyloo

Yes, it is going to be very different if you move in together. Your partner will have no money of her own and you will be effectively providing for her and her child.

So you need to consider your relationship and whether you both see this as long term rather than just the convenience of making things easier as regards seeing each other etc. (I hope I don't offend you)

You earn a good salary although your mortgage may be high and not leave you much for other things.

If you are both committed you need to consider whether there would be any 'comeback' either from the point of view of your 'keeping' her and her child and your partner not wishing to 'live off you' type scenarios.

Before you move into together you need to sit down and be openly frank about possible 'problems', do a budget together, consider whether you can afford for your partner to get some further qualification/go to work etc etc. Plus, having children together in the future and, dare I say it, discussing the fact that you own a house.

Many couples do not discuss these things before they enter a 'living together' relationship and things can get difficult either financially or relationship wise in the future.

If you are fully committed then all these can be worked out but best to do it before you take this next step.

Sorry, if I sound 'old fashioned' but communication is the key to a good relationship.

Wishing you both well.

Bananas123

Darksparkle wrote: »

We'll agree to disagree then. I think it is very important for children to interact with other children.

i think they were more so meaning: ...take them to the park, have friends round etc / take them out into child friendly society.

(as opposed to "letting someone else look after your children, because it's free")

like trying to warp that into "not socialising children" is pretty pureile imho,

just because something is free > doesn't mean you should do it ???

especially if there is high demand for the help, and less fortunate people could use the service better ?

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FREE ARGUMENT ? anyone ???

Darksparkle

Bananas123 wrote: »

i think they were more so meaning: ...take them to the park, have friends round etc / take them out into child friendly society.

(as opposed to "letting someone else look after your children, because it's free")

like trying to warp that into "not socialising children" is pretty pureile imho,

just because something is free > doesn't mean you should do it ???

especially if there is high demand for the help, and less fortunate people could use the service better ?

---

FREE ARGUMENT ? anyone ???

What if there is no park near by?

What if she doesn't have friends with children?Many assumptions made there.

All those things can still be done on top of childcare. It's only 15hrs out of the whole week.

Not sure why you want to turn it into an argument when I clearly said i don't need agreement. There is no need to argue, you have your opinion I have mine.

But going to the park can't teach a child sign language or another language. A nursery can.

teddysmum

There was no free help when I raised my sons and I didn't know of any local toddlers, so I paid to go to a toddler play group (the fee covered the hiring of the church hall), where a parent was required to stay, and so socialised my children while discovering other mums who lived nearby.


Even mums on benefits could afford the meagre amount charged, so I too, don't see why the State (ie taxpayers) has to contribute.

Darksparkle

Just because it wasn't available for you doesn't mean it shouldn't be available now

My sons baby group is £8 per hour, not really a meagre amount.

Anyway, this forum isn't for discussing whether its rights for people to be able to claim benefits.

It's for discussing benefit entitlement. They are entitled to the free childcare whether we like it or not.

FBaby

At ages 3 and 4, the 15hrs childcare is free for all regardless of their income, benefits, work status. Next September this is expected to increase to 30hrs per week. The funding is there so why shouldn't people use it?

It's free for those who pay no taxes, for those who do, it's a service they are paying into, quite a difference.

Surely if a child gets 30 hours of childcare, that means that mum can work, or can certainly look for work.

And yes I do think parents deserve a break, again you don't need to agree. At the moment I'm on maternity leave with a 12 week old. If I could even get a couple hours spare time to catch up on the housework I would appreciate it!

Nobody DESERVES a break even less one funded by tax payers!

nannytone_2

it isn't 30 hours free childcare. its 15.

the 30 hours will be for working parents ( if it ever comes in)

its no different from when my children were young ( now aged 33 and 36)
once they reached 3/4, they got 15 hours a week at the nursery attached to the infants school.

strangely it meant i had to give up full time work and work part time as i had no one to take them/pick them up.

i didn't want my kids to be the only ones without pre school experience when they went full time

Darksparkle

FBaby wrote: »

It's free for those who pay no taxes, for those who do, it's a service they are paying into, quite a difference.

Surely if a child gets 30 hours of childcare, that means that mum can work, or can certainly look for work.

Nobody DESERVES a break even less one funded by tax payers!

I'm not being funded by the taxpayer. Im being funded by my employer to take maternity leave which is my right.

I will be returning to work and paying childcare and getting no assistance towards this until my child is 3. I fully intend to take advantage of this when I am able.

The OP has clearly said his partner will be looking for work after she gains some qualifications. This free childcare could allow her to attend college to get those qualifications, go to interviews etc.

FBaby

I was replying to your post saying it was free to everyone, not your particular circumstances.

Why wait to gain qualifications to start working? Many do both at the same time, especially with only one child who is about be in childcare for 30 hours.