RANT: Childcare costs are insane !

[Blessedone1111]

Single parent here that works 40hrs. 30hrs free child care is there to help working parents, but then you go rack up even more of a bill with nursery additional fees and consumables. The crazy thing is my child will come home completely hungry and with pieces of scrap paper. I didn’t know dried pasta and paper cost so much as nursery resources.

At this point I think what’s the point working if all my money is going on childcare cost I may as well not work and look after my child instead of childcare because it’s all not making sense. I’m completely drained trying to be a working mum and broke.

Am I the only person what is everyone doing to combat this?

How much are you earning, how much are you paying, and how much are the free hours taking off your bill?

Is your ex paying anything towards it?

This is why some parents work part time. Enough to get some “free hours” they then have less/different stress and a higher percentage of their salary is tax free etc.

If your working costs are high (travel etc) then that is also worth factoring in.

What is more difficult is the loss of pension contributions, career progression, job security if you go last time.

The consumables fee isn't actually for consumables but because the government funding is less per hour than the childcare costs. That's no help to you though! (I think you can challenge it possibly - worth looking into).

Does your ex not pay for/do any of the childcare?

Are you actually making zero after costs?

Will your earnings go up in future and/or childcare go down when your child is older?

Will things be better in 2 or 3 years?

Not sure what to advise as it’s unfortunately the childcare reality these days.

My youngest left nursery a few years ago and we only ever got 15 hours from the term after turning three. It was almost £2800 per month before we got the funded hours. At one point we had two in nursery together which was so expensive.

I agree with looking at changing your hours or seeing if you can have a nanny share or similar.

My child’s father is not paying anything as he can’t afford to. My child starts actual primary school next year which is a relief. I’m just at this point thinking what’s the point, I keep getting sick trying to keep up. Keep up with parenting and everyone at work. I’m just feeling like what’s the point if I haven’t even got any money after it to show for this exhaustion. I haven’t even got budget to set aside for Christmas but a small gift feel like I’m failing at this point

wow that is insane. Well done for holding that period of time together that’s actually impressive

@FuzzyWolf is there a website to find nanny shares ?

‘He can’t afford not to’. Hmm…

@ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews ive asked him. Im convinced he gets £300 a month. He left the family home nearly two years ago. Got fired from his job gave up and moved back in with his mum. He left me to do the rest.