to re-pose the radio 4 question - Is childcare good for CHILDREN?

[IceBeing]

Our dearest Justine and some bloke from the family childcare trust were on radio 4 this morning talking about childcare costs.

They focussed on Mums who would like to work more but cannot afford to due to childcare costs, and a proposal to make more free time available for 2-3 yos.

They both made a compelling case that this situation was bad for the Mums (because they want to work and can't).

They made a reasonable (but by no means obviously correct) argument that it was better for the economy for these Mums to work.

But they were then asked something along the lines of:

" Is increased access to childcare good for children? I mean if it isn't there isn't really any point? "

And they didn't answer AT ALL. They went back to the previous economic answer. Well actually Justine didn't get a chance to respond - so no accusation in her specific direction!

But what is the answer?

Is taking a child out of the home and putting them in nursery for an additional period between 2 and 3 yo (which was the proposal being discussed) actually good for the child?

Do kids in nursery earlier do better/worse at school? Are they happier/less happy? Is this a simple case of happier mummy, happier toddler?

Oh and we could all scaremonger to make our point,some of us are refraining from doing so.

Whats London got to do with anything?

God knows.

I'm sure parents are fully capable of weighing up risk to benefit ratios.

Chunderella you don't speak for all parents in their twenties.Friend of mine in her twenties had 5 years off,is now working and her husband is doing a degree.She had her dc so young she has the rest of her life to earn money and pay into a pension.

Questions,creativity,choice.Not a big ask.

Loads of jobs in the South West,some even commute up country to the big cities.

If dp lost his job and couldn't get a new one(not likely as loads in his field and our main city seems to be booming) he'd commute in various ways.Failing that we'd all move.We have looked ahead,I think many do on one income.Make sure you know how long you'd last and have several back up plans.

It really isn't impossible and saying it is is just scaremongering in order to justify choices and discount alternatives.It isn't fair.Parents can,could and do gave choices.Having it stamped on because you don't want them isn't that nice tbf.

Im the other side really. Im a homeowner and have been since age 18. I bought on my own with a mortgage with no parent help down south before it got expensive, and Im now only just out of 20s. I dont have to work but firstly I like holidays and having luxuries, and 2 Im young and ambitious I feel lucky Im not forced to give up work like my nan had to.

Janey paid maternity leave isn't for 12 months. If you mean statutory maternity pay (about £400 a month) it stops at 9 months.

Chunderella:

'It's wonderful that you've been able to ascertain this insanity (appropriate username, incidentally).'

Is there any need for snidey personal attacks just because you disagree with my point of view? You are the 2nd poster to do this today. I could in fact call you a thick, ignorant, nasty bitch because I disagree with your point of view and think it is a crock of shit but I won't. Perhaps you could extend me the same courtesy?

Would just like to add I'm not listing all the doom laden things many think working parents should be aware of as regards childcare in contrast to the woes trotted out that sahp should consider.

Maybe the same courtesy could go both ways with this too.

You could Insanity but it'd one be against talk guidelines and two very unfair. I've been on a number of threads with Chunderella and she is none of the things you've mentioned.

But we were told that last night. Babies strapped screaming on high chairs etc etc.

Why are you so angry that women choose to work and point out the benefits of doing so financially. There are far fewer safety nets than there have been for decades.

I'm certainly not angry that women choose to work,I've been a working parent and will be one again.

I've been following this thread and Chunderella you said everything I'd want to say but far more eloquently.

Taking time out of the workplace usually impacts on salary and pension. It can prevent you from ever getting work at the same level you left at again

Yes, this is true but why would a sahp, (the clue is in the phrase) be interested in the work place? Why would they not take appropriate action to secure finances for retirement?

The thing about childcare...

Well the two eldest loved nursery and are happy children, DD3 had trouble settling, even though I knew nursery was good state-run early years centre, it was newly opened do ratios were really good.

But I had to consider the whole family, not just DD3. When DP lost one major contract -company pulled out of country fur to recession, loads of jobs went v.sad- I knew that she would prefer to be at home ft with me, she is very shy always been clingy.

So she had to be in a situation less than ideal fir her but at that time the needs of the whole family came before hers - and I knew she was well cared for. So her early years were perhaps less than perfect...but she is fine.

Ditto Chunderella clearly as many of different ages and in different fields do manage a period out of work without their whole life crumbling.

You seem to hate the idea of it bring possible for many- strange.

I think its easier if your whole life doesn't crumble because you have a high earning DH Retro not all women have that.
Face it you can afford to SAH and judge other women because your DH pays the bills.

I don't read that into chunderella's posts at all.

I think we're all just a little bewildered as to why someone who has chosen to be at home, who had already built up savings pre-children, who is going to slip back into a different career later, and who has a high earning husband (who is even continuing to pay the allowance he can into his wife's pension) just seems so disatisfied.

Dissatisfied at what exactly?

Re paying my bills nah pay our bills same as I did alone when he wasn't working,same as I did when we were both working and same as I will be when I'm working again.

Not sure of the need for such bitchiness in thinking asking the question in the op is a good idea.