Worried about cost of childcare at school

[schoolfeewoes]

Prompted by a letter from DSs primary school - he starts reception in September.

We currently pay £1100 for 2 children in full time nursery. This is more than our mortgage but less than I earn (for context).

When DS goes to primary school we will have to pay MORE in childcare costs - £1300!

This is because we lose the sibling discount on the fees, meaning DDs fees go up £190 per month, before and after school club is £18 per day and holiday club is £30.

I've looked for a child minder but they are like rocking horse poo around here and charge similar amounts to the wraparound club, because they can (before and after school care is £15, holiday care is £35).

I can't believe we are going to have to pay more for our child to go to school!

Has anyone else found this?

Before anyone asks, no we have no family and friends who can drop off or pick up. Yes it is worth me (and/or DH) working, no, we cannot move our working hours - I have to be in work at 8.30 - 4.30 minimum and DH gets the train, if he is to get on the very busy train, he has to leave at 7.30.he gets home around 6.

I have taken in to account annual leave to cover some holidays and school pick ups.

Anyone else think this is bonkers?

mindutopia unfortunately it'd just not work for us. It would involve buying a second car, which would cancel out any savings pretty much.

Wow clubs are expensive, guess it’s true to never rally shake nursery fees they just get spent somewhere else.
(Pregnant with number 2 and working out with 4 school years apart how long I’ll be paying this until my eldest will be in secondary)

As for holidays: annual leave between you and your husbands/ relatives/clubs/working from home - shit isn’t it!

FartingNora yeah, I just worry about what they will do with him when the other kids aren't in. He'd also be the only one in his year at breakfast and after school club in those weeks.

I think I can have 2 full weeks of summer holidays off and 1 other school holiday week, so 2 doing childcare and one as a family holiday. I'll do the sick days as I get 6 weeks holiday. DH gets only 4 weeks holiday- 1 at Christmas (which I can't have off and there's no nursery or holiday club) and one family holiday week then 2 weeks child care.

Childcare in the UK is ridiculously expensive and it's an equality issue for women that often cannot afford staying at work or have to reduce their hours so that they can look after the children.

Do you use Tax Free Childcare? That can be used to pay schools for childcare, I use it for holiday club for my eldest (school age) child and it makes a difference.

When I was looking I posted on the local Facebook group and loads of people replied, I think checked out they were registered with Ofsted etc, so genuine, and visited a few- even though Google etc had hardly brought up any results

This x100.

I found our excellent Registered CM this way.

Our local authorities webpage for childminders is never up to date. I asked on a local mums Facebook page where lots of CM’s are members, got a few responses and went to visit some. They were all registered and very professional, so I wouldn’t rule out finding someone!

Yes, I've asked on Facebook, a local childcare website, the Ofsted register and the school also have a list of childminders who collect from them.

They are all either full already, don't drop off/ pick up from my school or don't do drop off/pick up at all. Those who had some space (1 or 2 days a week) are where I got the pricing from.