@oliveroses
Thank you - I probably didn't need the citronella candle in a ceramic tiger's head but never mind
Its possible that one set of grandparents might be moving closer to us which could be a massive help with childcare, and I've been pondering compressed hours - but I don't know if that would make working days just impossible. I can go back part time but at a cost to my career, unfortunately, and I'm trying to think of the longer term. I am a ftm and very easily swayed by the opinions of others when it comes to this issue so finding it a bit of a rollercoaster! I have some time though as I won't go back until January. Just trying to get a bit ahead - I knew it was expensive, but yikes! Are yours at the point where they qualify for free hours from the gvt?
I could also consider childminders but haven't really got my head around that atm.
no - you definitely needed the candle. personally i'd have also bought the tiger plates, and the salt and pepper shakers.
i know what you mean re thinking long term. i was/am in the lucky position where i don't have to work. but chose to keep on in my job. i work 4 days a week. lower pay a bit as haven't condensed my hours just do 28 per week instead of 35. but it makes sense as i get a nice balance.
ds will hopefully get some hours free as of October. as i understand it we get up to 20 free hours from the term they turn 4. ds will be 4 at the end of september. im in jersey so things work a bit differently here i think. i think we have to pay for 2 sessions and get up to 20 hours free. the kids are only there for 18 hours anyway so should get two days free for ds i think. to be fair though whatever we can get will be a bonus. as last year they (being our government) were talking of means testing free nursery hours. as part of their "get women back into work" thing.
the thinking was that if they means tested and put that household earning over the average salary wouldn't qualify those higher earners (like dh and me) wouldn't take the places for our kids. however. we - and a lot of other people pointed out that by doing this they were actually making it harder for women/parents to work. you want people to work, make childcare more accessible and affordable.
my two pence worth is that nursery is the better option. we looked into a childminder and found that here the cost was roughly the same. plus we'd have to cover any days the childminder was on holiday or sick. with nursery, they're open all year round, if staff are off sick we don't have to worry about emergency childcare, and same with holidays. also with childminders who had spaces we weren't able to drop off until 845 and pick up had to be by 515. which just wasn't feasible. with our jobs there's always the possibility of a late call or meeting or something that just can't be finished by 5. so nursery closing at 615 was perfect. it also means that if i want to i can go to the gym before i pick the kids up (i just joined the gym right next to nursery).