not sure how much childcare costs???

[Chickyboo]

I'm going back to university in sept need to find c/care for 3 days from 8-2pm, any idea how much this will cost? I live in N1 london. I only work part-time self employed about 12 hrs a week so don't think I qualify for WTC and have been turned down for Childcare Grant by LEA. So think all off my student loan will have to pay for c/care costs as husband can't afford to contribute 80% of his wage goes towards mortgage.
Anyway just need to know whether I can afford to carry on studying.

look at this website and you can find the average cost for a childminder in your area: www.ncma.org.uk

depends on age of child and where you are gtting the child care. childminders cost me £2.50 per hour for 3 yo, nursery costs £24 per half day for baby, but that is up north.

does your hubby qualify for wtc? there is a childcare element there but i honestly have no idea how it works. uni almost certainly will have a student finance advisor who will probably have more idea

So can my dh claim WTC?...he works full-time.

Also thanks for website.

You can claim a small amount if you earn up to i think 54k ish per year. This was the criteria when we started to claim over 2 years ago and we still get a very small amount each week.

Well we earn about 25K

Chickyboo you can only claim the childcare element of WFTC if you both do paid work for more than 16hrs a week. N1 would be quite expensive I would imagine for childcare, what uni are you at? because it might be eaisier on your pocket to find someone closer to the uni.

I pay £3.25 per hour in Wales to the childminder who is taking them whilst I am at Uni. We don't get help from WFTC, apparently i'd have to work as well for 16 hours a week, and with three kids that ain't happening! But the Uni's offer access funds that are designed to help cases like yours, give them a call. We're on a similar income and we didn't get childcare grant but DID get a lot of other grants / loans so chase that up if you can.

The welfare dept st Uni might have a list of childminders, and social services will, that's how I found my lovely lady

Oh, claim WFTC now, they can backdate it three months. We're on 21K and get £79 a month with 3 kids.

I do ahve MIL coming back in Nov but they never laeve house and also won't let her drink/feed herself she is 13 mths..aslo they just sit her in front off telly don't leave house. Am I being picky or should I follow my instincts ..even if I can;t afford it.

I treid to claim access to learning fund before I had DD ..no luck. How much help do they normally give?

Do they have a nursery at uni? You might find that the best option.

Access is easier to access (hmmm, need a thesaurus!) if you have kids I believe?

Dunno which Uni you are at? But they have a childcare advisor at mine (Newport)- worth a go!

Thanks for advice Peachyclair are you also a student?

I've been trying to get a placer at my uni for past year..no luck.

Any way I would still have to pay at least £37 per day but uni is 1 1/2 hr from home so owuld be travelling with 14mth old in rush through city of london...not good move.

I start Uni on the 19th!! Way hey!

I am going back to full-time work and can't believe cost of childcare. Am i missing something? Average cost of day nursery in SW12/SW17 £1,000 per month. Also looking at childminders. Found one i really like but she charges £250 pm (same as nursery) although she's only just qualified. Can you give me any advice or cheaper options?