stupid question from a newbie

[Laibey]

hi everyone
I'm 40 and really struggling with the Q of whether to try to have a baby or not. I've done a lot of reading which hasn't really helped with the indecision but one thing everyone says is to bear in mind how much it will cost. Neither my partner or I earn very much and he has horrendous debts too. Also I would want to return to work which involves a long commute. My question is - what is the average cost of childcare in Surrey? What are the options?

My partner says 'oh we'd get by somehow' but I think that's quite an irresponsible attitude considering neither of us are desperate for kids and we're very much on the fence.

If anyone has any advice please let me know :-)

Thank you!

This was my first question on MN ( diff user name then !)

Nursery costs can really vary, and how they charge can vary too. Some are 7.30am am - 6pm, some are 8am- 6pm, but charge extra for 7.30-8am and 6-6.30pm. A full day is about £70 without extras.

You can ring them and explain and ask.

I would suggest a childminder ( you drop your child to their house) As if cost an issue are they generally cost around £5/6 an hour but it will really vary on area.

I'd say cost up you staying at home too. At 3 they will get some free hours and if you are working you can get 30 free hours childcare, so will bring your bill down, although some nurseries will charge a supplement.

I'd say you'll never regret having children but the cost is a major struggle.

Oh I meant to say you might get charged £70 a day if your child goes 1 day a week, but many drop the rate for more days.

hi

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, this is very helpful.
I've heard so many mums despairing at the cost of child care, even people who I think are earning a very good salary. It sounds very difficult. And I guess it doesn't end when they get older, just the outgoings shift to other things... !
Thanks again,
L

Not Surrey but next county over so I imagine prices are fairly similar.

Costs are highest when your child first goes to nursery aged around 1. My DS was £1400 a month full time then (£1300 for 4 days a week - there was a discount on the day rate for doing full time so that we barely saved anything by having him do four days). It dropped a little when he turned 2, to around £1200. Then a big drop when he turned 3 and got 30 free hours so we now pay £700 a month. We use tax free childcare so only pay 80% of that.

We're budgeting around £20k a year for full time nursery (7.30 - 6). That's in central London so Surrey might be slightly different. Most of the nurseries around us have details of their fees online.

Oh yes tax free child care account from the .gov is a big help look it up online.