How to split cost of childcare after splitting up.

[MakeMineALargeProsecco]

DP & I are in the process of splitting up.

I saw a solicitor last week & we talked about how to split equity etc.

But I completely forgot to ask about childcare costs & how these should be split.

Childcare is £40 a day in term time for 2DC - so £200 a week.

I'm the primary carer, and earn about 1/3 of STBX.

How is this usually split?

I'm guessing this is not included as part of maintenance?

Any advice welcome.

Whoever requires the childcare pays for it.

As far as I am aware maintenance includes childcare costs.
DS’s nursery is £442 each month. exDP pays £200 maintenance. Go figure.

Sadly child maintenance is supposed to cover childcare. Usually the minimum CM figure doesn’t actually meet half this cost.

However if you can agree a figure between yourselves you may come to a more accurate amount.

I think a 50/50 split is fair.

Eek! I thought it would be in addition

We are due to have financial mediation soon & I'll make sure that's covered and hopefully get an agreement drawn up.

Luckily DS is in P6 (Scotland) so it'll only be for 1yr to 18m that 2 lots are required.

Are you going to be entitled to universal or tax credits? They pay a large amount of your childcare costs. Also look into wether your company does childcare vouchers.

It’s included in maintenance but if your ex is willing to pay extra towards it that’s good

OP don’t forget to get an agreement about who will cover and arrange holiday childcare and the child’s sick days off school.

I get childcare vouchers at the moment, but I'm not sure if I can move them between health boards (am NHS) - I think the rules have changed since I took them out 10 years ago.

I'll have a try at the " entitled to" website & take a look at the new government childcare scheme if I can't stay in the voucher scheme.

Have a look at tax free childcare as well. That’s what I use, whatever I put in the government top up by 20% which helps.