childcare in central london

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We live and work between central and east london Looking for childcare that is near home- old st, or clerkenwell where dh works but so far nurseries are hugely expensive £65-£83!!! per day. i am only going to earn avbout £80 a day so it wont be cost effective for me to return to work. I really want to go back part time and would like dd who would be 11 months by then to start mixing with other children instead of being stuck in a flat with me all day so anyone any advice? do you know of less expensive nurseries or can anyone recommend a childminder for 3 days a week from june 2006

Have a look at the sure start website (i found my childminder on there for ds1 when i used to work)
here is a link for the day care in hackney and shoreditch that have imediate vacancies
Or you could contact CIS on 0208 820 7590 and ask them for a list or registered childminders or nurseries!
HTH
mummy23

ooh thanks very much, i will do. I am actually part of the sure start scheme but didnt know they helped with stuff like that. cheers(grin)

Can't you get tax credits to pay 70% of childcare costs if you are on a low income?

How long will your days be when you are working? When your DD is older (18-20 months) there is a childcare co-op a bit east of you (the western edge of Victoria Park) that is very cost-effective. For care from 9:30am to 1:15, four days per week, it costs £200/month. (You would need to work in the co-op the fifth day per week.) We will take childcare tax credits. And we might be able to sort something out with surestart etc.

My DS1 went there, and my DS2 will too, when he's old enough. It's great for socialisation, for both parents and kids.

I will look into that. dont think we are on a low income but we have a big mortgage which my husband is covering at the mo. he also pays all the bills etc as i am now on the no pay bit of maternity leave. i would like to work even if i was only earning a bit of money. didnt think we would be eligible for any state help but will have to start doing some research.

Childcare tax credit applies to everyone, if that helps. Actually, you get more money off childcare with it, the more you make. (Although it only applies to the first £50/week of childcare.) Very strange system.

But it means you pay for childcare pre-tax, so (I think), you get £200 of childcare per month for £120, if you're a higher-rate tax payer.

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Oh, it's worth noting that there are lots of toddler/baby drop ins in Tower Hamlets, not far from you. Baby Bounce, at Bethnal Green College (Bethnal Green Road, north side) runs Monday and Wednesday from 10 to 12. Soft play, lots to do.

And if you are a Tower Hamlets resident, there's the John Smith Centre, which is just behind the Royal London hospital.

I'm sure there's more stuff about, I think Musical Bumps or similar happens somewhere on Brick Lane?

I saw an ad for the nursery in Coram Fields the other day, so there must be spaces.... Don't know what ages etc.