to ask about free nursery vs vouchers/salary sacrifice

[dandelionand]

the nursery I need to send my daughter to this year doesn't accept the free funding for 2 year olds (I'm on a low enough income to qualify). She's 1 on the 28th Nov. There's another nursery that does, but it's too far away really so I wouldn't be able to go in and breastfeed her. I also didn't get great vibes from it.

I think working tax credit covers about 70% of childcare costs? So I could keep my daughter in the nearby nursery when she's 2, and just accept that i'll have to pay 30% of the cost as opposed to totally free care for 15hrs in the other nursery?
thanks mumsnetters x

What's the question?

I wouldn't assume, in the current climate, that any individual benefits will still be available in 2018. I would keep her where she is happy at the moment and see how the land lies nearer the time. It's unlikely that the breastfeeding will be an issue when she is two, even if you are still BF most toddlers do not need milk during the day by then.

I thought the free 15 hours ( 2 year funding )was just for people on certain benefits Income support / JSA etc ( I could be wrong though). whether working tax credits pay the maximum 70% depends on your income.

Currently the maximum contribution is £122.50/ week from WTC, dependent on income ( seems to be a sliding scale calculation) or up to 70% of costs if the total bill is lower.

Regarding the bf, my 20mo is happy enough with bedtime and occasional night feed, would this be an option for your daughter when she's 2? That way bf needn't be a factor in which nursery you pick.

Why on earth would you be going into nursery to breastfeed a 2yo?!
I breastfed til 4.5 so no issue with longer term breastfeeding. But I certainly wouldn't have been rocking up to nursery to do it!

This should help:

www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/childcare-costs

Is she going to be 1 year old in november 2016, or 2 years old?

I don't think I plan to bf at nursery at the age of 2, the bf bit is relevant cos if I choose the bf nursery now, i'll have to change nurseries once she's 2 in order to get the free funding. Or stay at the original nursery but pay the cost that WTC doesn't pay.
thanks for the info

JsOtherHalf 1 in nov this year, 2016, thanks x