Can you give me some idea of prices/feasibility of childcare for 2 and 4 yr old?

[Quality]

I have been SAHM since DD1 was born (she is 4) and I am waiting to hear if I have been accepted onto a PGCE course in September, all a bit last mninute as I wasn't planning to apply until next year.
I need full time care for DD2, who will be 3 in october and will be possibly started preschool for 2.5 hours a day (I understand I still have to pay for the space)
I also need possible after school for DD1 whos starts reception in september and half term cover. I might not need after school for dd1 but will definately need half term.

How likely will a CM be able to do this, and what is the rough cost for a year? I figured it about £6k? Would a nursery be better/cheaper? I will not be able to take time off for sick and DH has difficult job so it will be hard for him too (but easier for him tbf)
If anyone in roughly the same situation could give me an idea of what they pay with CM or nursery I would be very grateful!

Hi, good for you! Our childminder charges from £4 to £5 per hour - but quite often they do discounts for siblings. Sometimes they charge for meals on top but others prefer you to provide food. We have used nurseries as well - which aren't much dearer but there are usually a few extras on top - I think we paid extra for a dance class once a week. The good point about nurseries is that they're never closed - if someone's sick they're still open. But childminders often have a nicer homely atmosphere. Are there any benefits you can get to help? Should also point out that some pre-schools do charge for some things - ours charges for cleaning and healthy snack. Check it out before you choose one - it can add up. Hope it works out for you.

Thanks, DD1 is at the preschool that DD2 will be going to so I know it doesn;t charge. I worked out £6k on £3 an hour, which I know is low, £4 might break us.
I get a bursary for the course I am doing which we are goign to use to pay for the care but have no idea what other benefits/tax credits we will get as teh online calculators don't work for students, how helpful!

I am goign to ring if I get on teh course but not jinxing it by ringing now!

Hiya
i'm a childminder and i charge £4.50per child and £4.00 for siblings, I'm sure if you look around and ask all childminders you will find at least 1 that gives you sibling discount.
Nurseries are not cheaper than cm's
good luck

Childcare costs vary area to area, so while it may be around £5 per hour per child where I am on Surrey/Berks border, it could be more/less where you are.

Giving your rough location may help as if there is a mumsnet childminder in that area they could say how much local fees are likely to be.

Where are you located? That will make a huge difference in price. Agreed nurseries are more expensive. Good luck with the course. I'm a teacher who uses a cm for my 21 month old. if you find a Good one, it's fantastic - home away from home

Nurseries are usually around 30 per day and after term of 3rd birthday entitled to 15 hours free child care a week. dont know about child minders as never used. like the flexibility that nurseries give eg lots of children and no difficulties with illness. Holiday clubs vary as does afterschool care but most people entitled to tax credits. the enquiry line is really helpful and you dont have to make a claim. Child care is so expensive and if anything it gets worse as they get older

Thanks guys, i am in wales, so possibly cheaper than berks but not much i'd think. I know nurserys are more + i'd prefer a cm but just mulling atm as dd1 might only need 3 half terms this year and none after that, so not sure how feasible that iswith cm's.

i charge 3 pounds per child

Nurseries near me are between £50-£80 per day. £30 sounds lovely!

misslostmarbles- it may get easier as Quality's get older/less expensive as they be in school the same hours that she is working. I am looking forward to not having to pay for childcare regularly once ds is in school

£80?

This is why I wasn't planning on doing the course this early, if both DD@s were in school I would only need before and after school care, would be a piece of piss!

The enquiry line is no help to me atm as I am not 100% what is happening, plus am an employee (am on a career break officially) so I am not actually allowed to speak to them anyway how helpful! not!

Call your local Family Information Service (I found the number for mine on the council website) and ask about childminders with vacancies in your area. I found them very helpful, though unfortunately there are no childminders in my area!

I have there number, and have just found out that I do need the childcare, inconsiderate bastards don't work weekends though

Managed to find a CM near here who has been recommended a lot and who can take DD2 full time, which is great, but she doesn't do DD1's school so next year it will be an issue...aagh

their ffs.

Is there an after school club at her primary school?

I am in Surrey and I have found that Nurseries and CM's charge around the same. My 2 DC's are currently both at Nursery and the fees are £55 and £57 per day (10 hour days). My DD is starting school in Sept but will go mornings only for the first term so I have had to find a CM who can drop at school and then have her from lunchtime. She will also be looking after my son for full days. My CM charges £45 a day for 6 hours or more (inc meals) and £6.00 an hour if you are under 6 hours in a day. So I will be paying £45 a day for my DD even though she is attending school in the morning, but once she goes to school full-time the CM will just have her in the hour before school and after. So it will drop down to £24 a day. Once she is settled at school full time I may decide that I will put DD in After school club, which will be cheaper still.

Does your DD's school have an After-school club? That might be a cheaper option for you than CM after school. But then if you need school holiday cover you might poss have to pay a retainer to the CM to hold your DD's place?

No, no after school club very helpful (not)

I have started another thread with my 2 options here thanks for input on here, it did help.