Can anyone help me work out whether I can do this job?

[SuseB]

I am thinking of applying for a job in the NHS that is much lower paid than the job I currently do (on mat leave though).

I have three children who would need some sort of childcare - I have worked out the worst case scenario (nursery/holiday club) costs of this and they amount to £190 per week on average. The amount I would get paid in the new job would be between £156 and £192 per week depending on the starting salary.

I think the amount I will earn will push us over £42k per year household income for Tax Credits purposes - DH has sensible job.

Can't decide whether to take the long view and apply for the job, take it if I get it and just do our best to keep childcare costs down (by playing with actual hours so DH can cover some childcare and so on), also DS goes to school Sept 2012, which will change things - or just accept that this is one opportunity that will have to pass me by?

Sorry this is vague but would appreciate any thoughts!