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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Advice please- what would you do re childcare for a 1 & 2 year old?

28 replies

kindlegeek · 11/05/2013 12:07

At the moment I have a lovely childminder who has the babies 3 days a week whilst I work. Though in September I am going full time and she does not want to do full time, so I am looking for someone else. Though the biggest problem I am having is the costs!

The cheapest childminder I found would be £400 a week, and I provide everything. And the highest I found was £700 a week for the both!! Now I would go for quality over price all the time, But even £400 a week amounts to £1600 a month and I'm still paying nappies/ breakfast/lunch/ dinner.

I'm a single parent so I am entitled to tax credits at a maximum of £300 a week.

Do you think it is worth looking for a nanny? Can you use tax credits with a nanny? Are nannies looking for well off people who can provide them with a car ect? As that is definitely not me! I live in a small flat at the moment. I live in London by the way.

Any advice? Oh the 2 year old will be 3 in January and entitled to the 15 hours free nursery care. So that will help. I am really confused and thinking that I will not be able to do my NQT year because of the costs.

Any advice or information about different childcare would be greatly appreciated.

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ReetPetit · 11/05/2013 12:19

How about nursery? Do you have children centers in your area? Fees are normally on a sliding scale and as a single parent i would think you might find this your cheapest option. Many children centres offer term time only places which as a teacher would probably be good for you

forevergreek · 11/05/2013 12:19

Oh and with a nursery it will Get cheaper with 15 hrs free, but most nannies or childminders will still need you I pay them for the 3 hrs they aren't there as they can't fill that time/ and are around if sick/ school holidays

forevergreek · 11/05/2013 12:18

Well a nanny will be around the same price, and you will still pay wen eldest is in nursery as they are paid per family not per child. In London you are looking at around £10 net (12 gross per hr). So £120 ish a day based on 10 hr day. You will need to add employers ni on top.

I would say nanny around £600 - you will need to pay for food etc ontop

Childminder £400 - you will need to pay for food etc on top

Nursery - depends where in London but approx £500 a week ( if £50 Each a day), usually food etc is included. But more if nursery more..,

I think a childminder is still your cheapest option

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