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Original poster

The cost of childcare

119 replies

user1487755366 · 21/01/2022 20:24

I know this has been done to death but the cost of childcare is out of control. I have twin one year olds who go to nursery 3 days a week. It’s killing us and the price is only going up again in April.

When will something be done about this? My job doesn’t cover it and I’ve had to take extra work on out of hours to cover costs. We have no local family support.
I don’t know what this aibu is for but I guess some advice or solidarity would be nice.

OP posts:
BrokenCopper · 21/01/2022 21:08

They won't be in nursery forever, my salary didn't used to cover the childcare cost for my 3 DC at one point. Now they are older, with wfh we no longer need to pay for any childcare.

cherrypie66 · 21/01/2022 21:09

Why should something be done about the price of having your kids cared for they are yours no one elses and why shouldn't a nanny or a nursery nurse get a wage that's equal to yours
If you arnt gaining anything from working then why doesn't either of you stay home and bring them up yourselves is that so terrible

Pombear47 · 21/01/2022 21:10

OP I’m in the same scenario with you, it’s brutal. PP is Ridiculous to suggest we should have planned for twins. I think the best both of us can do is just plough on until the 30 free hours kick in, think how rich we will feel! I’ve thought about being a SAHM but it’s just not for me, and even with these expensive years, long term we will be better off with me (and hopefully you) continuing to work, getting pay rises, promotions etc

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Childcare & nursery Families
cptartapp · 21/01/2022 21:11

I worked for nothing for almost three years, the equivalent of my salary paid for nursery fees all this time. And they only ever went pt.I would say stick with it and make it work if you possibly can.
My DC are now 19 and 16, and staying in employment from their very early years has been so so beneficial for many reasons in the long run. Even now with one at uni, it's still not costing as much as those early years!
I'm now 50 and my pension looks great too.

Flocon · 21/01/2022 21:11

It is expensive but then I wouldn't want it to be too cheap, I'm trusting them with my child. I want it to be safe, I want them to pay the staff so they feel valued.

ReeseWitherfork · 21/01/2022 21:11

@3cats4poniesandababy

Why should childcare be cheap? Good childcare involves the right person, with the right skill and also having a low child to adult ratio. A lot of nurseries struggle to cover costs based upon what the goverment pay for the free hours. I pay a childminder, and maybe luckily or maybe not, pay her around £700 (minus tax free childcare part). Yes it is a lot but she is also worth every penny. We love her to the pint we are putting off an area move to stay with her for as long as we can (and will pay her a bonus when we leave because we love her and our son has the best time and is thriving in her care) If I used a nursery we would pay a lot more and for us we prefer the childminder family like setting. But that is personal preference and partially depending upon local area/offering.

The easy answer is the goverment pays more but how does one propose that is funded? Higher taxes on already squeezed family finances.

It doesn't need to be cheap, it needs to be affordable. As in, in relation to wages. Which it currently isn't. Your "high taxes on already squeezed family finances" comment doesn't hold up when you consider that families would have a lower childcare bill.

More affordable childcare = more women able to work = more tax generated

There's lots of evidence out there that more affordable childcare boosts GDP purely because there are more parents working. I'm sure in Australia they plugged something like $5bn into childcare and saw a rise of double that in GDP. Can't recall the exact figures, but it's out there to be researched should you be interested further.

caringcarer · 21/01/2022 21:12

I agree it is so very expensive. I helped my dd out with nursery fees twice as I don't live close enough to look after children for her 1 day a week. My Mum did that for me and it was so helpful. Could any of your parents help you out a bit with nursery fees? I always tell my children I am helping you now whilst I am alive with nursery fees and house deposits but you will get less inheritance as I can only spend them my money once.

ReeseWitherfork · 21/01/2022 21:15

@cherrypie66

Why should something be done about the price of having your kids cared for they are yours no one elses and why shouldn't a nanny or a nursery nurse get a wage that's equal to yours If you arnt gaining anything from working then why doesn't either of you stay home and bring them up yourselves is that so terrible
It can be terrible, yes. Years out of the workforce can be crippling on finances later down the line. In terms of years of lost career progression, possibly starting back at a lower salary, the significant detrimental affect on pensions. Even if OP isn't gaining anything financially right now, she will likely be saving herself by missing out financially in the future. Short term pain, long term gain.
user1487194234 · 21/01/2022 21:15
elbea · 21/01/2022 21:16

Our nursery fees are £700 a month for 3 days, not including any food, nappies, wipes and extra for ballet lessons. It’s only really worth it because my hours are 100% flexible so I do 20 hours while she is at nursery and the remaining 15 during naps, evenings and weekends.

BeanCalledPickle · 21/01/2022 21:17

Why does someone always pop up on these threads saying ‘why don’t you bring them up yourselves’. Why don’t they realise that using nursery doesn’t mean delegating all aspects of parenting? And that working, even for no or little gain, is an investment in the future of your career, your pension, your employability? So that if someone is made redundant the other parent is still working? Why is there always someone like cherrypie66 on every fricking thread?

user1487194234 · 21/01/2022 21:17

you arnt gaining anything from working then why doesn't either of you stay home and bring them up yourselves is that so terr
Just to clarify, I may have worked ,as did my DH ,but nobody brought up our DC but us
HTH

1smallhamsterfoot · 21/01/2022 21:17

Why should the childless be taxed more for your childcare? Doesn’t enough cover schools etc?

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 21/01/2022 21:21

@1smallhamsterfoot

Why should the childless be taxed more for your childcare? Doesn’t enough cover schools etc?
Because their children will be paying your pension
3cats4poniesandababy · 21/01/2022 21:23

@ReeseWitherfork and how do you propose making it affordable? Cutting wages to childcare workers? Upping ratios. Personally I don't want my son to be 1 of 20 at the age of 18 months.

As an economist I can see why raising wages across the nation is not as simple as it always appears. I do agree GDP does increase with more woman working/subsided childcare and that is from affordable childcare. It comes from a whole raft of economic measures. I would like many of those public services but it does require changes in attitude to tax by the whole country and changes in tax spending attitude. It has benefits but I question if the whole country would accept them and view them as being positive.

Also personally I think what I pay is a bargain for the care my son receives. My husband and I earn average wages so we are not mumsnets high earners making millions. £700 for full time childcare and a nurturing setting where my child is stimulated, safe and enjoys himself - I stand by what I say excellent value for money.

ReeseWitherfork · 21/01/2022 21:31

@3cats4poniesandababy bit of a gap between 1:3 and 1:20, no? But affordable = subsidising it more and smarter. Not making it cheaper. Think the UK spends less than 1% of GDP versus 3/4% out there on the continent. Not an economist but do have an economics degree, so I'm not coming at this as a novice.

You only think your childcare is a bargain because you can afford it.

JurgensCakeBabyJesus · 21/01/2022 21:35

DH and I both work FT over 4 days (different weekday off) so we only have 3 days to cover would that be possible?

boymum88 · 21/01/2022 21:39

Childcare is bloody expensive, it shouldn't be cheaper but should be better subsidised for working parents.
It's not as simple as one parent stays home for 3 years. We both have to work full time jobs to be able to pay our bills.
Yes we saved for both dc but that quickly goes when you are paid sat mat

cafedesreves · 21/01/2022 21:42

@cherrypie66

Why should something be done about the price of having your kids cared for they are yours no one elses and why shouldn't a nanny or a nursery nurse get a wage that's equal to yours If you arnt gaining anything from working then why doesn't either of you stay home and bring them up yourselves is that so terrible
How ridiculous to assume that working parents aren't bringing up their children. Once your children start school are you no longer bringing them up? Working isn't only about salary. It's also about skills, future prospects, and god forbid you might find it enjoyable. DH and I work and I can tell you nothing is more important to us than bringing up DS and giving him the best start we can.
SuitcaseOfWhine · 21/01/2022 21:42

TearifficTaz

Please stop making this thread all about you. The OP wants genuine solutions here, or to not feel alone in this. Yes you have an opinion - which you are entitled to - but as you can see nobody cares much for it.

Flocon · 21/01/2022 21:43

Because their children will be paying your pension will they though?

1smallhamsterfoot · 21/01/2022 21:47

Paying my pension? Yeah alright then 🙄

EasterIssland · 21/01/2022 21:52

@TearifficTaz

Well this is why many think ahead and save before trying to conceive

Not sure why this is a surprise, child care costs have always been expensive.

And the award for the most helpful reply goes to … congrats you can have your prize Biscuit
esloquehay · 21/01/2022 21:53

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

GalacticGoddess · 21/01/2022 21:54

Actually @TearifficTaz There would be a very strong argument for free early education, it's widely accepted that birth to 3 are some of the most crucial years for brain development through language development, attachment, explorative play etc. And often early learning sets the trajectory for school learning, so some would argue at the very least equally as important.

Anyway OP, no advice as it's bloody expensive, I've resigned myself to not having another until DD nears school age and hope that I don't have twins as I would struggle a hell of a lot to afford them - not everyone has the luxury of saving huge amounts to prepare for a child. Yes some saving is good but everyone's finances are different.