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?

It’s goes into one big pot which often a family holiday comes out of.

Statistics for this?

The 30 years for 3 year olds has been around for several years. I’m talking about couples complaining even despite all this support

I complain about childcare costs despite getting "support". Why shouldn't I? I will be paying NI for 50 years, retiring later than previous generations & paying more for health & social care. Why shouldn't families get support?

@Simonjt because it is about reaching the most vulnerable kids. First of all women on maternity leave, then after 1-year-old kids whose mum is on benefits and not working.
If a child is in full-time childcare, they should be getting their development needs met through the childcare. That is Ofsteds job to senure.

It really depends on circumstances. I live in a small town so prices for childcare are reasonable and we can afford it but I have many friends who are single parents or living in more expensive areas and prices are much higher.

@Simonjt

No not really, happy to support families per se, child benefit etc but just don’t think billions on childcare is the best investment in our society

How do you propose outcomes for children in the UK are improved? How do you think child poverty should be solved in the UK?

Alongside all the current childcare support of low income families receiving 80% of childcare costs paid, the 15 funded hours for all children from non working low income families, children’s centres. Better social housing, free school meals for all children on universal credit, more investment in children’s centres, better CAHMS provision, better adult mental health and substance misuse help for parents, subsidised college education for adults, more and better quality parks and community hubs, tackling climate change, promoting better policies to promote work life balance and reducing the number of women forced to re enter the workforce way below their skill level by encouraging companies to take on returnees and offer career breaks ……. I could go on and would probably all cost a lot let than universal childcare for babies

No not really, happy to support families per se, child benefit etc but just don’t think billions on childcare is the best investment in our society

Free Childcare costs 3.7bn, it's nothing compared to other expenditure. Why do you not want to invest in families & children?

@glittereyelash

It really depends on circumstances. I live in a small town so prices for childcare are reasonable and we can afford it but I have many friends who are single parents or living in more expensive areas and prices are much higher.

Yes totally, single parents should be getting help unless on a relatively high income and the issue of expensive areas is a whole other issue but universal free childcare not the answer. Maybe better supplements for those living in those areas if key workers

You get heavily subsidised childcare here if you have the misfortune to be poor but otherwise if your 2 parents just wanting to both be at work while your little one is tiny then is just something have to pay for as not really fair asking everyone else to give more than the subsidies already given

I'm confused why you think people who want to work when their dc are tiny aren't paying for childcare? The 15 or 30 hours is for 3&4 yrs olds, that's it. My dc are in primary I still pay for childcare.

Or perhaps even the employers in those areas providing free childcare if they really want to keep their workers!

@chessycurls

You get heavily subsidised childcare here if you have the misfortune to be poor but otherwise if your 2 parents just wanting to both be at work while your little one is tiny then is just something have to pay for as not really fair asking everyone else to give more than the subsidies already given

I'm confused why you think people who want to work when their dc are tiny aren't paying for childcare? The 15 or 30 hours is for 3&4 yrs olds, that's it. My dc are in primary I still pay for childcare.

You get 80% of the cost subsidised if your on a low income for children of any age under 12

I could go on and would probably all cost a lot let than universal childcare for babies

What universal childcare for babies?

P.s. which I agree is a good policy if you’ve not read my other posts

@chessycurls

I could go on and would probably all cost a lot let than universal childcare for babies

What universal childcare for babies?

The universal free childcare for babies/toddlers a lot of these middle class complaining parents think they should receive

You get 80% of the cost subsidised if your on a low income for children of any age under 12

But I thought your issue was with parents who weren't on low incomes?

The solution is higher taxes and a government that is capable of something other than pissing money up the wall.

Yes this is about middle-class families wanting mainly people poorer than them, to pay for their childcare.

@chessycurls

No not really, happy to support families per se, child benefit etc but just don’t think billions on childcare is the best investment in our society

Free Childcare costs 3.7bn, it's nothing compared to other expenditure. Why do you not want to invest in families & children?

Where did you get the figure of free universal childcare as being only 3.7billion, even the party manifestos of free universal care from 9 months a few years ago came to far higher than that!!!

The universal free childcare for babies/toddlers a lot of these middle class complaining parents think they should receive

I've never heard anyone say childcare should be completely free for all.

@chessycurls

If you actually read my posts quite happy my taxes going on supporting families and children in many ways, including childcare for the poor

Because it’s for a relatively short time unless you choose private schools

Because the people doing childcare have the same high cost of living than you and probably earn less than you do in a day but get blamed for wanting to earn a wage or make any profit, parents assume their children should be looked after for a pittance

Because in the long run it will benefit your career

"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

We don't have free universal care so i'm not sure why you are complaining about it.

Yes this is about middle-class families wanting mainly people poorer than them, to pay for their childcare.

That doesn't even make sense.

@RoyalFamilyFan

Yes this is about middle-class families wanting mainly people poorer than them, to pay for their childcare.

Agreed.

Or to earn well, have a great work/life balance, save and spend on having a big house, excellent perks at work whilst childcarers raise their children for low pay, low perks, long hours.

We’ve always paid a good wage to childcarers and never moan about them needing to make a decent wage.

@Teawithsugar40 you said

"if your 2 parents just wanting to both be at work while your little one is tiny then is just something have to pay for as not really fair asking everyone else to give more than the subsidies already given"

I replied

"I'm confused why you think people who want to work when their dc are tiny aren't paying for childcare? "

you then said

"You get 80% of the cost subsidised if your on a low income for children of any age under 12"

the above point is irrelevant as it was in regards to low income which we are not discussing. Why do you think mc parents are not paying for childcare when their dc are tiny as you say?

@Simonjt I’ve made perfectly clearly through my posts that I’m more than happy for my taxes to go on kids in poverty and childcare so their whole family can have a better life. Also quite happy for a whole range of other tax payer funded schemes that help all kids. No sorry I’d rather have enough left for a day out for my own children than pay for another holiday for middle class families