How much do you spend on childcare?

[MissClarke86]

Hi,

I'm expecting my first baby in March and am trying to plan ahead financially. Would anybody mind sharing how much they spend each month on full time childcare? (I'm thinking 7.30 - 5.30 if possible, I'm not sure yet what hours nurseries do!)

A google search gives me an average figure of about £850 a month but I wondered if mumsnetters had any more accurate figures.

I'm in the midlands, so not expensive London prices, and haven't yet decided about whether to use a nursery or childminder although I suspect a nursery will have better hours.

Thank you in advance.

[Roundincircles2016]

My son is at a childminder who charges £4.50 an hour. My daughter is in pre school which is £31.50 a day (8am-6pm) I send packed lunch for both.

[cudbywestrangers]

Our nursery is £45 per day and is open 7:30 to 6. They supply all food and baby wipes. Parents supply nappies and formula if needed. Also in Midlands.

[Dlah]

I'm in leicester if it helps and work at a nursery if it helps, we charge:

£44 full day 7.45-6
£31 half day 7.45-1
£30 half day 1-6
£190 full time (discount received)

We've just implemented those prices and on a ring around to other nurseries in area to compare we're still one of the lowest, prices went right up to £50 a day and £240 for a full time place

[RedHouses]

I'm in a naice area of Yorkshire and pay £45 per day, 8am - 6pm. Includes breakfast, lunch, tea and snacks. I just have to provide nappies.

[namechangedtoday15]

Expensive part of the NW -was £61 per day when DD was there (worked out at around £820 per month for a 3 day/wk place, slight discount for full time - around £1200/mth), think it's about £68 a day now. Had to provide nappies.

Some nurseries won't open at 7 30 - some will be 7.45 or 8 and most will close at 6pm.

If you're thinking of a nursery, you need to start visiting because lots will have a waiting list.

[mangocoveredlamb]

Nursery wouldn't have worked for us as we need 8-7 on three days and 8-5 the other two. Most nurseries round here close by 6.
I pay £5 an hour (about 1200 a month for 51 hours a week)

[Frazzled2207]

I pay about £42 a day x 2 kids. Only 2 dpw though.

[MissClarke86]

Thanks everyone. I can be a bit flexible with hours as I teach.

How soon would I need to start looking? I'm 21 weeks pregnant so by the time I've gone back after maternity leave it will be around January next year. That seems too early!

[insancerre]

Lots of people pay a deposit to secure a baby room place before the baby is even born
You might need to do the same if the nurseries in your area have waiting lists

[Frazzled2207]

Depends on the area. Round here (south manchester) not until baby is born though I know the good nurseries in London have kids on waiting lists long before they're born. Call a nursery or two locally and ask.

[SweepTheHalls]

Northamptonshire, I pay extra for a 7.30 drop off making nursery £60 per day.

[Konyaa]

£686 a month for 10-6 all days a week including food at a childminders in a Midlands village

[plugitinsilly]

Go before you have the baby. I looked around nurseries when dc1 was about 4mths and almost cried st the thought of leaving them in ANY of those places, despite actually quite liking them.

In the nicest possible way, before you are a parent you will be far more objective and practical about it.

I loved the nursery we ended up choosing but it was a last min decision when dc1 was 10.5 months and a complete fluke they had the days we wanted.

[plugitinsilly]

Oh and to answer your original question it was £50 per day with a 10% discount for full time.

[namechangedtoday15]

NW - With my older children (twins) and without knowing the whole hoohah of getting nursery places, I looked around nurseries when they were about 6 months old (I didn't need places for 18 months - when they were 2). Put my name down at preferred nursery, and at a back up. Preferred nursery couldn't offer me places until just before their 3rd birthday (so 2.5 years from when I put my name down) so they went to the back up for just under a year before I switched them.

Had moved to new area by the time Number 3 came along (south Manchester) - lovely small nursery but only had places for 20 babies in the baby room. Was planning on 12 months maternity leave but put my name down straight after my 12 week scan. They'd already filled their places by that time so I went on the reserve list, and fortunately got a place about 6 months before my DD was due to start.

[jpeg28]

Hi MissClarke hope your pregnancy is going well! I've started thinking about this too as I'm a teacher too and desperately want a term time only nursery! I emailed the two closest to us and they said I could go and visit in the new year and that I should go on a waiting list from next September ( aiming to go back to work next xmas) they both charge about £60 a day including food and nappies. We can also get childcare vouchers through our salaries at school so that makes it a little better! Maybe have. Look at some local options and email any you like. We are going down the nursery route but thought about a childminder too.