Cost of Busy Bees nursery in London?

[Marmalade85]

My one year old is currently in full time childcare with a childminder but she is extortionate so I'm looking to move my son to a new Busy Bees nursery opening in South East London. I can't find any info regarding typical fees. How much would a daily/monthly rate be please?

Quandary. Yes I do but there's a cap on it. You get 70% up to a maximum of £175 per week and nothing for anything more so I get £72 per week in child tax credits which helps pay the £350pw bill.

You need a nanny for those hours, or just suck up the childminder fees. That's a lot of hours.

That's almost a 12 hour day, and is pretty cheap childcare. I'd be grateful for Childminder who does those hours. We couldn't find one. It's about £7 an hour assuming you drop of late and pick up early?

I think you need some advice about what you're em

I agree with the sentiments in this thread. Something has got to give as it's just not viable in the long term. I'm exhausted and working at a loss but my job is the only stable thing in my life right now.

Entitled to as a working mum. You can't be spending that much on childcare and getting nothing back???

I get £72 pw child tax credits to help with childcare costs.

Fat fingers, posted too soon! Surely you are entitled to some benefits? You're working and paying taxes. I wish you well.

My working hours are 8.30 - 18.00 five days per week. I work for a small business and everyone is full time. There isn't a flexible working or part time culture there.

Could you not work shorter days? That would save on childcare and then you could move your baby to a nursery, pay less childcare and not be so gruelling for you.

You should get more than £72 per week in tax credits surely? I think there is a calculator on line that you can use to check.

Yes bad i think I'm just going to have to tell my boss that the hours etc just aren't working for me. She is a single parent and business owner but always had nannies to help so didn't have to do the drop offs and pick up etc (I also don't drive so get the bus ) and doesn't encourage fleck working or part timers.

That amount is correct. You get up to 75% of £175 per week depending on your earnings. I earn £31000 which sounds like an okay salary but it's rubbish due to my outgoings being so high.

Marmalade you should look at becoming a childminder yourself if those are the going rates. I hope everything works out for you and you get sorted.

Hopefully your boss will be understanding if you do ask about changing hours.

I live in a tiny one bedroom rented flat so couldn't be a childminder even if I wanted to be one. Thanks for your input, losing sleep trying to work out what to do

Where do you live?

South East London

If you could change your hours, even half an hour could make a huge difference to you in the options available. Don't all firms have to look at flexible working requests now? Good luck.

Hi - You have my sentiments, I completely understand what you are going through. It's tough, but there will be light at the end of the tunnel!

I am similar to you, live and work in SE London. Earn £28000pa and work 9 - 5.30 ( getting home earliest 6.30, on a good day)

I pay £1125 for nursery which includes food, but they close at 6. I have a nanny that I found on gumtree, fantastic French young lady. She picks up my daughter, takes her home and stays till 7.45. So I pay her for 2 hours a day and pay £9ph.

Total fees are around £1500, but have tax credits to help. Maybe you could do something similar? It would slash your bill by a couple of 100's and you will receive the same amount of tax credits you get now since you will still be over the £175 cap.

Hope this helps and wishing you the best of luck.

Yvemen thank you for your post. Are you a single parent also? It's such a struggle. The one good thing with having a childminder is that she still looks after my son even he is ill and I know a lot of nurseries wouldn't do that. I'll look into the nanny option, thank you

Could you move east on the Central Line? I know easier said than done (typicall MN response is to move) but rents are cheaper and our baby room fees are £975. The posh 7am to 7pm nursery here is £1300 a month. I use the toddler room at my local nursery from 8 until 6 for £725. £640 with funding plus childcare vouchers.

You could also secure a part time nanny for less. My single mum friend moved out to Romford (yuk I know) to be able to afford nursery and wrap around care.

TBH you are are doing great. Free hours and school will come soon enough

Hi Marmalade, yes I am! It is difficult, can't wait till they get to the age you don't have to pay these crazy fees. Until then just close your eyes and let the money go.

I know it must be such a relief having someone to look after your child even when their sick! But something has got to give. Try and look into the nursery &a nanny idea. You might end up paying even less than you do right now but have a greater peace of mind.

Hope you get on ok..rooting for you! X

You don't always save if you work 4 days - when my ds was at nursery (the second one was Busy Bees) 4 days cost the same as 5. I paid for the full-time place because it gave me flexibility - and actually why wouldn't I if it cost the same.

But you won't have to pay for 4 weeks holiday - just the week they're closed between Xmas and New Year. Ours was open 7.30 -6 - they vary but you may find one that accommodates your working hours - my son's first nursery was open until 6.30.

Ok left field and potentially unrealistic option - could you move in to a 2 bed flat and get a live in au pair to do pick ups and drop offs from a cheaper nursery/ childminder ?

You would need to pay 75-100gbp a week but it'd give you some help at home as well..

I'm looking at something similar as am in a similar boat. I live near you and that is crazy expensive !

That's also some long hours to be doing..