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MNHQ

NOW CLOSED: Please take a very quick survey on what can be done about childcare costs

53 replies

RowanMumsnet · 15/01/2013 16:37

Hello

As many of you will know, the Coalition is in the throes of discussing policies to address the thorny issue of childcare costs (see also discussion on this thread).

Justine is going to be speaking at an event hosted by the Resolution Foundation this Thursday, discussing what can be done - and at what price.

So we'd love all MNers with children to take this honestly, truly super-quick four-question survey (and two of the questions are about your children's ages and where you live Grin) so that we can try to get a sense of what solutions MNers would like to see.

Thanks MNHQ
OP posts:
LexyMa · 15/01/2013 20:33

I don't see the rationale for paying for childcare of SAHPs who are so by choice, other than the 15 hours from 3 y. However I would like to see the definition of 'employment' widened to include caring responsibilities (I.e. a disabled dependent), study, work experience (workfare or whatever placements the DWP makes people do if on JSA), and voluntary work with registered charities or community groups.

That would mean that for anyone without the qualifications or experience to earn enough to pay for childcare, the "we would be worse off" argument, a number of other worthwhile activities would count for NI contributing time and notional pay that could be offset against tax, so you don't earn anything but spend 10 hrs a week in sure start centre as a bf peer supporter, another 5-10hrs (nights, variable actual time, from home) as a LLL phone answer person. You get 20 hrs NI 'stamps' made from the budget that would have paid your JSA if you were seeking work, and you get govt funded childcare for the 10 hrs you work at SS centre. Isn't that 'big society'?

Anjou · 15/01/2013 20:29

Done. Via mobile. I pressed 'complete' and Survey monkey has been processing ever since (30 minutes ago). Looks like my response will time out. I wrote a pretty big 'other' reply, and would rather not have to type it all out on my phone again! Confused

mumnosbest · 15/01/2013 20:18

done... but i'd rather see less pressure on parents to return to work and more support for parents who want to stay at home during the early yrs and support for returning to work.

ratbagcatbag · 15/01/2013 20:11

Done - I fall into a higher earners bracket (I think) or at least I do combined with DH, if they remove the vouchers for higher earners we are screwed and we have waited years to be able to afford the one child I'm currently pregnant with.

tubsmum · 15/01/2013 20:02

done

Crazycake · 15/01/2013 20:01

Done

ItLooksLikeRainDear · 15/01/2013 19:48

Done

BlueberryHill · 15/01/2013 19:47

Done, in your question about childrens ages, there is no where to indicate if you have multiples, so it looks like I have but 2 but it is three. Plus just to add multiples being in childcare is horrifically expensive, most people have gaps so don't have to pay for two children full time for that long before 15 hours kicks in at 3. If I had gone back to work I would have been working for a car allowance, paying tax and childcare for two+ years.

TheDarkSideOfTheSpoon · 15/01/2013 19:18

Done :)

jellybeans · 15/01/2013 19:16

It would be a tall order to pay grandparents etc for childcare yet no help to stay home parents. I would say more support for stay home parents or increase CB to allow parents to offset a parent at home or towards nursery fees. That way there is free choice and not the government trying to force all families to be dual income full time. Some parents prefer a parent at home or to work around each others hours for example.

twittertotter · 15/01/2013 19:11

Done Grin

AmandinePoulain · 15/01/2013 19:04

Done.

I personally would like to see the free childcare for 3 year olds offered in the same way across the UK - at present in Wales it's generally provided by schools. When dd1 turned 3 in February 2011 there were no places in the 3 local schools until the following September, and there was no flexibility with the hours, or any way to top it up. I prefer the English system, where we could have knocked 15 hours off our nursery bill as soon as she turned 3.

Iggly · 15/01/2013 18:47

Done.

I said subsidised childcare funded by taxation. So parents contribute some but not all.

Childcare is ridiculously expensive - highest in Europe if I'm correct? It's a joke.

Employers also need to be more flexible eg let us have some days 9-5 and other days the same as school hours for example. More home working so we can get to our children by 3/4pm. It can't be good for children to be away from home for such long stretches every day of the week.

chewingguminmyhair · 15/01/2013 18:38

Would be nice as hopeful parents to be to have a say. I think the daunting cost of childcare puts people off having DC.

3ofeach · 15/01/2013 18:31

done
free childcare for all - what a lovely thought.

MsPickle · 15/01/2013 18:27

^This!

Tee2072 · 15/01/2013 17:41

Free childcare for all!!!! Viva La Revolution!!

::fist in the air::

Or, um...done.

Bicnod · 15/01/2013 17:35

Done

gizmo · 15/01/2013 17:34

PW, I hold you personally responsible for the fact that I have just read at least 4 Telegraph readers' comments. My eyessssssss!!!

MiconiumHappens · 15/01/2013 17:30

Done

Isitme1 · 15/01/2013 17:11

Done

SquirtedPerfumeUpNoseInBoots · 15/01/2013 17:08

Done

bigkidsdidit · 15/01/2013 17:05

Done

WheresMyCow · 15/01/2013 16:57

Thanks Rowan, will do Smile

KatyPeril · 15/01/2013 16:50

Done. Hope something gets done before I'm sectioned again.