To think if childcare was free or heavily subsidised it would solve a lot of problems?

[Dormouse14]

I can't think who it wouldn't benefit.

A good nursery or childminder that was provided for by the state - as schools are - would enable parents who want to work to do so meaning there wasn't a reliance on benefits for single parents and they'd then be paying tax.

Some children would benefit greatly - I mean children who perhaps don't come from orderly homes.

I'm not saying everyone would have to send their child but if the option was there! wouldn't it make a difference to many people?

writtenguarantee your post above makes me want to scream!!! Argh!

Cms please don't let these people wind you up. It's done on purpose to make us feel bad for making a profit. We're supposed to do it for the love of children don't you know!

If the option was there surely all the nurseries and cms would be full and those not working wouldn't be able to find a place even if they were prepared to pay. How would demand be met.
Now there are some people who don't work because they can't afford to work this creates places for others who can't afford childcare but run at a loss for some absurd reason
If you want it you should pay for it.

If it's so easy and a gold mine do it yourself.

Funnily enough Childminders are often hard to find. It's clearly not as easy as many like to make out.

Those if us who prefer to bring up our own children wouldn't be idiot at all!

Benefit (idiot autocorrect!)

Why should you benefit if you're a SAHP?

It's like buying baked beans on offer if you don't like baked beans. If you don't want the beans, don't buy them!

And why should DH's wages subsidise it for someone else, which as a higher rate tax payer, is what he's already doing.

As long as the government doles out tax credits and childcare vouchers, women especially, will be paid peanuts.

Because sahp still have kids that need looking after and are funding said provision by doing it themselves and taking the financial hit that brings.

Your kids,your childcare bill.

Save or plan ahead.It is a temporary time.

Staying at home is a luxury that you have if you can afford it.

If you have to work then the government should be supporting you to work, including removing barriers like outrageously overpriced childcare.

No you should plan ahead before you have children.It is hardly a surprise that somebody will need to care for them.You sound very entitled.

And having a sahp isn't a luxury it is childcare.

I work full time and provide childcare the same as I did when I was a sahp. Neither are more deserving.

I think a huge difference between Germany and the UK is that Germany still has a huge manufacturing and export industry. Their taxes are also up to 50%. In the UK, it's more of a 'service' based economy which really means that the government is funding a lot of jobs/contacts to private companies through taxes anyway. If childcare was a free service, you would probably see a dramatic decline in the number of childminders as they could not charge their own rates. Or, if it was like here in Australia, subsidization to a certain point would mean providers upping their prices to a point where parents were paying just as much, if not more, than before.

It's a thorny issue. I can definitely see the benefit of free childcare for the truly poor but not for the 'money for nothing and your cheques for free' crowd who are resentful they have to prioritise childcare over a LV handbag or the like ....

Some families save and plan ahead to have a sahp. We did.

Is nobody concerned about the research that suggests that having under 2's in daycare facilities tends to increase their levels of the hormone cortisol, because they find it stressful being away from their parents. This in itself can lead to increased levels of aggression,fearfulness and hyperactivity. I know these studies are unpopular for obvious reasons but it does seem that under the age of 2 it makes more of a difference,and 3 plus there can be benefits from the socialising. Whilst I would fully accept any parents right to choose whether they work or stay at home with small kids,I think for a government to incentivise early return to work whilst the doubts of its benefits for the child exist would be wrong IMO. And by raising that point,I am not committing all mothers to remaining at home,tied to the sink! DH and I have taken turns working pt/ft/compressed hours/weekends and whatever it took to ensure that one of us was at home whilst they were little.It does not have to be the mother.

"You sound very entitled"

Dammit that's what I've been doing wrong. All those LV bags will have to go

Actually I AM entitled to subsidised childcare because I live somewhere that provides it. Lucky me.

If parents are able to work, they pay taxes - which fund it.

Is the amount of tax parents pay per day equal to the cost of childcare?

LePetit I'm interested to know how, as a LP, I'm expected to keep a roof over my head AND raise my children at home.

Or would you rather I used your taxes by claiming benefits to enable me to stay at home raising my children until school age? When I would need government money for further training to enable me to access the job market? But only part time obviously so I could be there for my kids when they finish school....

And back in the real world.....

vdb no frankly, I'm not concerned by that research for the simple fact that there is so much research pointing all over the place that it all becomes background hum fairly quickly.

I think the cortosol research has been debunked in many subsequent reports. The impact of childcare is, as far as I understand, very difficult to assess because there are so many other factors which are difficult to control for. Which is why there is research which constantly contradicts each other.

longest where do you think this money to pay for this free/low cost childcare is going to come from? Slash the social care budget? Nope, done that. Reduce people claiming disability benefits? Nope, done that. Cut mental health services? Nope, done that.

My point is that it is done perfectly well in countries with similar economies to the uk, and I don't mean Scandinavia. If it's possible there why isn't in possible in the UK?

Which country with a similar economy to England is it done in?

Well France and Germany for a start.

But you're paying for it already and clearly capable of keeping a roof over your head as are hoards of other parents.Sorry but some parenting years are tight,why exactly should the state fund your lifestyle choice and displeasure at having less disposable income for a temporary period?

Studies have shown that childcare for under twos should be avoided and not debunked as far as I was aware.

statisticallychallenged....I am genuinely interested in this and have tried to Google any Cortisol debunking studies and cannot find any.I am not trying to be controversial but if you can link me to any. (or anyone else)