stupid question from a newbie

[Laibey]

hi everyone
I'm 40 and really struggling with the Q of whether to try to have a baby or not. I've done a lot of reading which hasn't really helped with the indecision but one thing everyone says is to bear in mind how much it will cost. Neither my partner or I earn very much and he has horrendous debts too. Also I would want to return to work which involves a long commute. My question is - what is the average cost of childcare in Surrey? What are the options?

My partner says 'oh we'd get by somehow' but I think that's quite an irresponsible attitude considering neither of us are desperate for kids and we're very much on the fence.

If anyone has any advice please let me know :-)

Thank you!

[dogmothertoanother]

This was my first question on MN ( diff user name then !)

Nursery costs can really vary, and how they charge can vary too. Some are 7.30am am - 6pm, some are 8am- 6pm, but charge extra for 7.30-8am and 6-6.30pm. A full day is about £70 without extras.

You can ring them and explain and ask.

I would suggest a childminder ( you drop your child to their house) As if cost an issue are they generally cost around £5/6 an hour but it will really vary on area.

I'd say cost up you staying at home too. At 3 they will get some free hours and if you are working you can get 30 free hours childcare, so will bring your bill down, although some nurseries will charge a supplement.

I'd say you'll never regret having children but the cost is a major struggle.

[dogmothertoanother]

Oh I meant to say you might get charged £70 a day if your child goes 1 day a week, but many drop the rate for more days.

[Laibey]

hi

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, this is very helpful.
I've heard so many mums despairing at the cost of child care, even people who I think are earning a very good salary. It sounds very difficult. And I guess it doesn't end when they get older, just the outgoings shift to other things... !
Thanks again,
L

[DinoGreen]

Not Surrey but next county over so I imagine prices are fairly similar.

Costs are highest when your child first goes to nursery aged around 1. My DS was £1400 a month full time then (£1300 for 4 days a week - there was a discount on the day rate for doing full time so that we barely saved anything by having him do four days). It dropped a little when he turned 2, to around £1200. Then a big drop when he turned 3 and got 30 free hours so we now pay £700 a month. We use tax free childcare so only pay 80% of that.

[mynameiscalypso]

We're budgeting around £20k a year for full time nursery (7.30 - 6). That's in central London so Surrey might be slightly different. Most of the nurseries around us have details of their fees online.

[dogmothertoanother]

Oh yes tax free child care account from the .gov is a big help look it up online.