To think we should be protesting

[Jessieabs]

For affordable childcare.

Why are we letting the government get away with the absolute joke that is childcare in the U.K.

Over 2k per month to send 2 kids to nursery seems like madness! There should absolutely be reform to this crazy state that we’re in. Surely a huge majority of the voting population have children/have grandchildren or plan to have children, but this issue is rarely talked about at election time!

I think there’s a hell of lot we should be protesting for and cheap childcare isn’t it.

Maybe spend a bit of time with them and don’t send them into nursery for such long days every day

Why is it the governments job to pay for your lifestyle choice?

Presumably you know this before you have children?

I’m afraid I’m in the camp of “if you can’t afford them, don’t have them” or have one parent stay at home.

er really? what do you propose then? childminders lower the rates? to what? £2 an hour?

and nurseries barely break even with childcare careers paying carers not much above minimum wage.....reduce costs would mean reduce the already pitiful wages

unless you mean the government should pay?

Most couples need two wages. Not a lot of options for many people.
Not loving the last judgemental post. Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to afford to be part time

The Govt is to provide a safety net for those who are struggling. the country is on its knees financially so no it shouldn't be paying for childcare

Wow a lot of brutal responses!

I’m knees deep in childcare OP and its so so hard. Money is v tight. However, I do look at their lovely nursery, all the staffing the resources the rooms the activities and can completely see where that money goes. And likewise we get tax free childcare which helps then 30 free hours from 3 which makes a huge different. Some countries it is a lot more subsidised which would be lovely but then higher taxes etc. As it is I don’t think we have it too badly.

Or plan it so you're not paying fully for 2 in childcare? 2 year age gap, no nursery whilst on maternity then not long until child 1 gets 30 free hours.

I don't love it and have paid £1k + a month for a short time but if we couldn't have afforded it we wouldn't have had two so close together.

@Jessieabs Are you eligible for tax free childcare? That's really helped us 😊

@AntiMaskersAreTwats There's nothing wrong with kids going to nursery for long days as some parents can't afford to give up working. My daughter does 3 days at nursery and we're very lucky to have grand parents looking after her the other two days.

I mean the government should further subsidise childcare.

Also when people say ‘one parent should stay at home’ we all know that most of the time that’ll be the woman sacrificing their career.

Genuinely surprised in some people’s opinions on this.

@AntiMaskersAreTwats

Maybe spend a bit of time with them and don’t send them into nursery for such long days every day

What an unpleasant and unhelpful reply.

I am by no means suggesting that childcare providers should be paid less, just that if the voting populace made this an issue, the government would do something about it...

@LadyCampanulaTottington

I’m afraid I’m in the camp of “if you can’t afford them, don’t have them” or have one parent stay at home.

Exactly. Why should people who chose not to have children pay for yours?

Try having a child with asn. School holiday childcare in your own home with a random from an agency £24 an hour. Nothing else suitable available. It is a disgrace.

I think that the government should properly subsidise childcare. Think how much better the economy would be and amount of tax the government would get if most people could be in employment rather than a large amount being priced out of it due to childcare costs.

@monkeysox

Most couples need two wages. Not a lot of options for many people. Not loving the last judgemental post. Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to afford to be part time

That being the case, then don't have children or only have one for whom you can afford the childcare.

A lot of people know they can't have it all and make decisions accordingly.

Can there also be a Chanel handbag subsidy? I would like one but can’t afford it so I don’t have one

Previous generation did not get any assistance with child care at all. You are bloody lucky with all the breaks you get in that regard,

How do you propose they find the money for this? NHS is underfunded as are most taxpayer funded services.

The country is going to shit with Brexit, covid etc.

So no. You should pay for your own choices

I agree but the government need to properly fund the 15/30 hours funded hours first as a matter of urgency. It is outrageous what they pay providers for these hours. It's scandalous. But they don't care currently and that is why more and more childcare settings are closing and we are storing up a future childcare crisis as people will not be able to find childcare.

We pay some of the highest fees in the world in this country.

@Kpo58

I think that the government should properly subsidise childcare. Think how much better the economy would be and amount of tax the government would get if most people could be in employment rather than a large amount being priced out of it due to childcare costs.

But would it be more than they would have to fork out to fund your family planning choices?

@Pythonista

The Govt is to provide a safety net for those who are struggling. the country is on its knees financially so no it shouldn't be paying for childcare

And yet other countries that aren’t on their knees provide quality, subsidised childcare.

Well other countries manage it (cheap, subsidised childcare). I spent £2,300 per month on childcare per month, then realised it wasn’t worth it so had to leave and make a massive career change.

It’s a shame so many women are priced out of work. But then you get the argument that it’s the DH costs too. No it’s the cost to the family and if the cost of childcare outstrips the wage of one of those working there is little point in working for nothing.