Why do people complain about childcare costs?

[Teawithsugar40]

I’m a working mother and 65% (was previously near 100%) of my salary goes on childcare, we get by but holidays etc are out of the question. We’re not rich and have small children, it’s just how it is. I don’t resent what we pay and feel quite lucky that we’re a few hundred better off than if I was doing the equally important job of caring for my children full time.
Maybe because when I had my first child there was absolutely no childcare help and scant provision but I really don’t understand so many people these days complaining about childcare costs, especially when it still leaves them better off working? Totally understand single parents needing help and thankfully they have had generous help for years but why are couples who are definitely not on the breadline complaining? Did they seriously think they could have children without making any sacrifices and why do they expect people often worse off them themselves to pay for maintaining their previous lifestyle?

@Thefaceofboe

Because not everyone pays £5 an hour for childcare that would be nice!

I know, even childminders here charge more than that an hour now. Full time childcare is £1100 here after taking into account the tax free childcare allowance. This is a huge chunk and not just expensive for 'poor' families (however OP is deciding what constitutes as poor). Very high earners pay a shedload more tax than most people will ever pay anyway so I'm not sure why some get so triggered by the thought of them being able to access something (although as with schools and healthcare many would probably choose nurseries attached to private schools anyway whilst subsidising others). I don't think it should be free, but trying to argue it's reasonable now is a joke.

@chessycurls

"Early education and childcare has also become an increasingly important part of the education spending landscape. Between 2009–10 and 2018–19, annual spending on free childcare for 3- and 4-year-olds rose by almost £1,900 per child (in today’s prices) and we spent £3.3 billion last year on providing these free places."

IFS

I’m talking about parents complaining despite what is currently given in childcare support - not the current support and not the support given to poor families I was very thankful for receiving myself. It made a huge difference to our lives but just don’t want think the astronomical extra cost of providing universal free childcare to all children can be justified. It’s important that all people feel they receive something back so no I don’t mind if a better off family uses their child benefit, money they save using sure start centre or nice local park rather than expensive play centre on a holiday or even the tax free childcare and 30 free hours. Paying their 13k childcare bill I just don’t think is the best use of tax payer money when the country has so many other priorities and can’t understand why some parents think we should be doing this

I’m talking about parents complaining despite what is currently given in childcare support - not the current support and not the support given to poor families

I don't understand, you're talking about parents complaining about the current support but not the current support 😆

but just don’t want think the astronomical extra cost of providing universal free childcare to all children can be justified.

Again who has proposed this? Your OP says nothing about universally free childcare ?

@Pugroll

I think we should get rid of universal access to healthcare and schools too, what a waste of money!

How do they compare to childcare?

@chessycurls

I’m talking about parents complaining despite what is currently given in childcare support - not the current support and not the support given to poor families

I don't understand, you're talking about parents complaining about the current support but not the current support 😆

Parent complaining that the current support isn’t enough … if that makes sense to you???

Paying their 13k childcare bill I just don’t think is the best use of tax payer money when the country has so many other priorities and can’t understand why some parents think we should be doing this

What are you basing this 13k bill on?

Parent complaining that the current support isn’t enough … if that makes sense to you???

I don't think the current system is enough however there's a huge gulf between what exists now & universally free childcare!

@Teawithsugar40 well sometimes those bloody rich people swanning off on holiday don't pay at point of access for them! It doesn't matter that for the vast majority of the population it would be hugely beneficial and do wonders for women in the workplace, we don't want that do we.

How do they compare to childcare?

Why do they not compare to childcare? Why should someone with no dc pay for schools?

@chessycurls

but just don’t want think the astronomical extra cost of providing universal free childcare to all children can be justified.

Again who has proposed this? Your OP says nothing about universally free childcare ?

More than a few people have put forward the idea for universal free childcare, just look at the party manifestos in the last elections, not to mention people always bleating on about how wonderful it is the Scandinavians of pay next to nothing for their childcare

@chessycurls

How do they compare to childcare?

Why do they not compare to childcare? Why should someone with no dc pay for schools?

Who actually benefits from schools, the children, from healthcare - the unfortunate/suffering, from free universal childcare rather than the current support. Middle class families whose kids not even old enough to appreciate a snazzy holiday

Again your OP says nothing about universally free childcare & I've not mentioned it once so I'm not sure why you keep mentioning it.

Plus you also seem annoyed with the current system? which is a very small tax burden.

@chessycurls

Paying their 13k childcare bill I just don’t think is the best use of tax payer money when the country has so many other priorities and can’t understand why some parents think we should be doing this

What are you basing this 13k bill on?

The average cost of providing full time childcare for a child under 3, possibly more of family have 2nd child under 3

Who actually benefits from schools, the children, from healthcare - the unfortunate/suffering, from free universal childcare rather than the current support. Middle class families whose kids not even old enough to appreciate a snazzy holiday

I'm not sure why you are so bitter?

@chessycurls

Again your OP says nothing about universally free childcare & I've not mentioned it once so I'm not sure why you keep mentioning it.

Plus you also seem annoyed with the current system? which is a very small tax burden.

Well I’ve made it quite clear through the posts that’s what I’m talking about. I’m not saying I disagree with more support in some circumstances, twins etc but I personally think the current system is enough

The average cost of providing full time childcare for a child under 3, possibly more of family have 2nd child under 3

But middle class families don't receive 13k for childcare for under 3s so are you again talking about a system that doesn't exist?

@chessycurls

Who actually benefits from schools, the children, from healthcare - the unfortunate/suffering, from free universal childcare rather than the current support. Middle class families whose kids not even old enough to appreciate a snazzy holiday

I'm not sure why you are so bitter?

They’re clearly very jealous people with a higher salary, they also weirdly don’t think children benefit from childcare

Well I’ve made it quite clear through the posts that’s what I’m talking about. I’m not saying I disagree with more support in some circumstances, twins etc but I personally think the current system is enough

I don't think it's clear at all.

On one hand you're against something that doesn't exist but you're also against the current system?

@chessycurls

Who actually benefits from schools, the children, from healthcare - the unfortunate/suffering, from free universal childcare rather than the current support. Middle class families whose kids not even old enough to appreciate a snazzy holiday

I'm not sure why you are so bitter?

Dunno it seems they wanted a pat on the back for being okay with paying loads for childcare even though the system is a crock of shite.

It's so bizarr

It's so bizarre!

And I presume if mc people didn't complain or spend the money on jazzy holidays it would be fine! 😆

Sorry if this has already been asked and you missed it but @Teawithsugar40, genuine question- why do you pay 65% of your wage on childcare? Why is it not a percentage of your partner's wage?

I see this so often on MN as if childcare is the sole responsibility of the mother.

See I think it speaks volumes about society's attitude to women and children, they are devalued at every turn.

We know that women have suffered employment loss disproportionately during the pandemic, we know that every time there is an income squeeze it is women who are worst hit, and childcare costs disproportionately affect women.

For that reason alone we should be very concerned about childcare costs being prohibitive to many.

In progressive countries childcare is valued much more highly than in the UK because women are respected as an essential part of the workforce.

In progressive countries childcare is valued much more highly than in the UK because women are respected as an essential part of the workforce.

The OP thinks the only benefit is unneeded holidays.

Yes we pay about £700 per month for part time nursery and childminder with the tax free deduction, £5 an hour per child to keep them safe, educated, entertained and safe is fantastic value

So when you're childcare bill was 100% of your salary what do you survive on? How do you survive on £245 after childcare for housing & bills?