To think new childcare costs screw women?

[idontknow54789]

Before getting pregnant with DC2 day rates at nurseries around here were £70-80 a day. Now DC2 is here they’ve gone up to £120 a day! My DH earns over £100k so we don’t get free childcare. It’s now looking like it’s not worth me going back to work - it’s going to cost us for me to work. I know we’re fortunate that he has a decent salary (this is London though so doesn’t go far). All nurseries are saying it’s the lack of funding for the ‘free’ hours that are forcing them to put up costs so much in a year. So the lower earner (I know not always women but often are for many many reasons) gets screwed and it disincentives them to work. I feel so deflated over this. I’ve got my hard hat on here as I know a lot will say how privileged we are he earns that but this is more of a rant about my personal situation and career and others in my position.

Look at childminders?
Nurseries are notorious for raising costs with regard to the funded hours, cms are much more reasonable.

I don't think it's as simple as the free hours as they could just opt out of them. One of the nurseries here has said "we can't afford it, we don't offer funded places" - they are still full.

I think the increases are as much to do with the increase in NICs, energy costs etc.

Childminders are the same - cheapest was £100 a day and would struggle to get to logistically.

Yanbu. Its getting ridiculous.

It would be better for the government to give the subsidy as voucher to use against the nursery bill.

Yes that is very true with other rising costs. Still pisses me off though.

Additionally the rates for free hours are actually really high from age 9 months to 2 years, it’s the 3/4 year rates that are low, which is why nurseries are trying to balance it out.

£100 A DAY?!?

Yup, it was £11 an hour!

Oh of course, because you can’t access the funded hours.
CMs now only really want funded children, as the rates are so high, especially once the universal 30 hours comes in from September.
Could your husband put more into his pension to bring him below the threshold?

Please I don't have to pay for my son and my childminder is only £296pm most months

Is there any potential for pay rise/promotion in your job?

Because you can access the funded hours presumably?

I think you need to define 'worth ' for you. It's not just about the money. It's about your happiness. Do you want to work? If so you need to consider that that is worth something too.

We have two in London. We have had no money for years! I've literally been in my overdraft almost every month. It's like being a student again. But I do it because I know costs will go down and my youngest starts school soon. The kids are getting easier and I hope to be able to focus more on my career. It's been on standby for a while. But had I given up, I'd need to go back to square one.

Yes, I agree childcare costs disproportionately effect women. But so does the attitude that her job is less worthy than her spouse if she earns less. You shouldn't be the default stay at home parent. It's hard enough on your career going on may leave. Why doesn't you oh cut his hours and bring you below the £100 k cut off. The you can use your 30 feeeh. This reduces costs quite a bit. Lots of nurseries are doing it. Your must be able to find one.

It sucks and it's unfair. But we need to change the narrative.

Has your husband considered dropping to 4 days for a couple of years? You would get the free hours, he could do a day of childcare, and you could get back to work?

Are there actual jobs that pay 100k plus that work on the basis of set hours/days…?

Similar here and we have no money by the time our mortgage and bills are paid. I’m completely stuck as I can’t afford childcare and can’t afford not to work. I’m trying to freelance around the children and it all feels like a total mess, and one you’re not allowed to complain about.

Why can’t the other parent drop to part-time to do some childcare? The PT salary might be within the threshold for free hours too, so win win?

Thats ridiculous and anyone arguing differently is a fool.

Check if childminders have a day rate. Ie round here is £10 an hour, but people booking full days get a discounted hourly rate. Think it's £10 an hour or £60 a day.

You can’t look at it as being out of your salary alone, it is both of yours child and the costs for childcare come out of the total family income. Yes it is expensive and yes on paper it looks like it isn’t worth it to work but there is so much more too it and there is a big cost down the line from not going back to work.

Nursery costs have always been ridiculous. It's not gone up that much where we are (although ir has gone up). From £70 to just over £90.
Its free hours and NI you can thank for that.
In regards to your situation is there any way you can make it work. Maybe compressed hours or a nanny share?
But I think nursery costs have always screwed women over. Nothing new there.

We’re in the same boat. Yes my husband earns well but we’re paying £2600 per month for childcare (4 days per week) and £2700 per month mortgage (live in South East). We’re actually in debt because of it, have UK holidays only and rubbish old car on its last legs.

It’s not just about salary though it’s progression, your development, pension contributions, ability to secure pay rises and promotions. Years out of work may really affect you. Is it not worth you working and taking the hit now which will then ultimately pay off when you are out of the nursery paying years?

I agree and also shouldn’t government consider raising kids as raising future tax payers? Hence women or families in general shouldn’t be penalized for having kids and nursery should actually be funded for all. 100k or 200k salary. Same as schools.

Well that’s the issue, the implications of taking a few years off work are pretty high but the cost of working is insane, she is making a loss to go to work (I know the whole but some of it is the man’s pay etc but as a family they will have more money if the op doesn’t work, that is crazy)