When working is not an option?

[Louloo2012]

Please don't judge me badly I just need to check something here...

I have just had a baby and therefore now have three children alone and I have only just reality checked my Taxcredits and realised there is a cap on childcare to £300 for two or more children. Now this means I can't get 70% for all of it. Having deducted my outgoings from what I could get I would be better off on income support. That's before paying travelling costs and dinners etc?? The cost to the tax payer is £340 which is cheaper than the£420 a week that it would cost to have me out working?? I have no one to help with childcare but I never thought this would be an issue. Can someone please tell me if there is something I am missing. I thought the system was meant to be that you are always better off working. I don't want to have to not work but it is looking like I can't afford to go back after my maternity leave is over and my job has no long term prospects....

[LadyMaryLikesCake]

No judging here How old are your children? Would you be able to cover the childcare once the eldest one starts school, that way there's only 2 places needed? What about a nanny (tax credits will cover 70% providing they are registered with them)? It's sometimes cheaper to pay £300 a week for a nanny for all three children rather than a nursery for three. How about working from home?

Can you become self employed? Work when your children are sleeping and use a nursery for a few afternoons a week.

[Scoobsmam13]

A lone parent adviser at the job centre may be able to help you with the calculations and let you know exactly what you can expect in each situation. I don't know if they still have these as it was 4 years back that I used that service, but i found them to be most helpful.
I have a friend who was in this position and always used au pairs for childcare before her three went to school as it was cheaper (although this would mean someone living with you which may or may not be an option).

[Mintymoomoo]

I'm a single parent if 3 (pregnsnt with 4th) and I work and I am better off!

How old are you children ?

[Louloo2012]

Loving the nanny idea but think a nanny would not be expecting to work for the likes of me lol! Thing is I have nowhere to accommodate an extra person. Do nannies not charge more money than that? What about car and fuel etc for collecting children, unfortunately schools (junior and infant) are not within walking distance either!

Two of my children 6 and 7 are already at school which is why I am so shocked! The out of hours club charges 10.80 morning club £19 after school for both children but this amounts to nearly £150 per week and baby fees are £175. That is before even considering school holidays! Childminders around here charge more (some actually charge mileage on their cars ) but none can accommodate all 3 at the moment anyway. Is it because I only earn 14k before tax and have a mortgage? I am absolutely baffled! Gonna go do the calculations again but by the looks I will be totally in debt by September from going to work. Maybe I need to look for a better paid job or one at least with prospects to justify? Don't know where to find the upfront fees as it is!

Would love a work from home alternative but can't think of anything??!

[LadyMaryLikesCake]

'The likes of you'? Eh? Work is work. You don't have to have one that lives in and if they are registered then the tax credits will cover 70% up to a certain amount. As Scoobs says, pop to the job centre and see if they can help.

[Louloo2012]

Sorry, it's because I had only ever heard of the stars having nannies so I thought they must charge loads! Would therefore make me feel really posh to refer to "my nanny" but my friends would disown me if I did lol

[LadyMaryLikesCake]

I had a nanny for a little while (she had two of her own children and quit after a few weeks as she couldn't manage three), it wasn't that expensive. Your friends only get a say as long as they are helping you with childcare

[Mintymoomoo]

I'm the same as you childcare cost in school hols are terrible lucky for me a friend covers school hols so only have term time childcare 3 hours after school twice a week!

Once this baby arrives and I finish maternity oldest dd will be 12 so old enough to come home after school for few hours alone!

Nanny may be something worth looking into, I know someone who nannies and as age has young child herself she doesn't want a live in job and if she is able to take her toddler along then it's perfect for her

[RandomMess]

When does the 6 year old move up juniors? Perhaps one will need to move school so it is walkable?

Could you reduce your hours to 30 per work to reduce childcare costs somehow?

Aren't there some new childcare assistance with cost coming into force soon?

[Kendodd]

Can the dad not help at all? Seems so unfair you're on your own in this.

[NoodleOodle]

What about studying part time whilst on income support for a bit? This way you will not in a bad way financially now by being worse off for working, and are also setting yourself up to be able to get a better job in the future, not leaving a big gap in your employment record, setting your children a good example, having something to do with yourself so you don't go mental without adult stimulus, and can also enjoy this period of time being able to be at home most of the time for your children without being stuck in a dead end job.

I wouldn't worry about what it costs the taxpayer, like you say, it costs them more to support you in work via tax credits etc. So, ignore any comments or real/imagined social pressure, and do what is best for your family.