full time working mums childcare/nanny cost advice starting school

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Hi, we have two children, 2 and 3 years old, and a full time nanny (working mon-fri 8-7 generally) living in zone 5-6 london. We have no family nearby.

With tax, NI and pensions, nanny costs me slightly over £3k a month (this is before payroll admin and petrol/food/kids activities costs that she expenses). 3yo gets free 30hr funded preschool. Nanny gets £10ph net, bonuses, annual leave etc. Sometimes we return early and relieve her, but it's not predictable so her pay is fixed.

First question is, what do other working mums in pay for childcare (incl tax etc as mentioned)?

My second question is, what do other full time working parents do without family help, when kids go to primary school? We can realistically do breakfast club only when both are in school but def not pick up due to nature of both our jobs. Dh and I already take turns to cover each other to leave early or back late. How much do afterschool nannies cost and what about school holidays?!

i somehow thought childcare costs, be it nursery or nanny, would only be for the early years and worth it to stay in workforce, even if it wasnt financially adding much, but now im thinking im stuck with the same level of childcare costs (assuming nanny) for next 10 years or until whatever age you can leave kids at home?

People keep suggesting au pair, but I'm not sure I could trust au pair for two at this age until maybe younger is in reception? Can i ever trust any au pair? And then do you recruit au pair every few months? We only have a single spare room, is that even attractive? Do you have au pair plus a part time nanny or live in nanny? Sorry I just find the au pair concept really strange.

I've looked at local childminders and they don't seem to have many schoolage places. They also charge per child so for 2 kids and loss of flexibility (drop off by car, rush in late to work and leave work early to pick up at 630, pushing bath and bedtime back home pretty late and exhausting after work) - it isn't cheaper than a nanny.

Thanks in advance and sorry for ramble..

We had a wonderful student who picked up after school and stayed until 6 when we got home. She supervised homework, took them to clubs etc... Worked perfectly for us and she is still like a member of our family.

Although a nanny is the most expensive option, especially for school age children, I think it is worth it for families where parents work really long hours. Bear in mind that school holidays last for 13 weeks a year, inset days, snow days, voting days, children’s sick days all need covering. Your child might want to do afterschool clubs and need picking up later which a nanny would do, take them swimming/rainbows/beavers/football/dance. No other childcare would offer that service I don’t think. While they are still young, you might like it that by the time you get home (presuming 7pm) the children are fed, homework done and ready for bed. My 7 year old is in bed by 7.30 at the latest.

Nanny would maybe do laundry and cooking during the day. there is a full time nanny who picks up children at our school and she helps with pta events during the school day and accompanies school trips as a volunteer when they ask and goes in to listen to readers once a week (basically everything a keen sahp would do). I’m not sure if this is usual but it is written in her contract to do that and I think she has quite good conditions with the job so obviously doesn’t mind.
I’m a childminder btw, but always think if you can afford a nanny that is preferable, with a cm a close second.