How can people in London afford private nurseries?

[Booklover]

I would like to go back to work, in fact I had a job offer for 3 days a week, which I am happy to do, but looking at the nursery costs in London (North London) the salary for 3 days would hardly cover the nursery costs? How do people do it? Is it cheaper to find a childminder? I am not British but have lived in the UK for about 8 years now, ds has just turned one and I am just trying to get used to the different system of childcare and the costs....

if your total income is under £30,000 you will be entitled to working tax credit and child tax credits. I get mine paid for completely by child tax credit.

its not just London, they are expensive everywhere. i ahve to pay 141 quid a week during the holidays for my sons nursery and he only goes part time, and I dont work!

ours is about the same as well. Ds2 gets funding for some of his due to his special needs, but we still have a huge bill every term, and he only goes twice a week! Think it's about 3.30 an hour

we are so lucky with our nursery. it's a sure start early excellence centre. we pay £168/month for ds to go 2 days a week (he's 3). under 2s are a little more expensive, but not much. dp & i have just worked out that with the new childcare vouchers our total nursery costs for ds & his new sister (when she's born) will be just over £200 a month.

are there any council run nurseries you could consider booklover?

I see it form both sides. I have a nursery in Essex and I can tell you that I make very little money as staff costs are high and take up most of the money. We charge £28 for a full day - which is the norm for out there. WHen parents complain about high cost, I always feel a bit hard done by as many months I make nothing.

As a parent, I have been looking for a nursery for ds1 (as wee live in central london my own nursery is not exactly convenient!) and have been shocked by the prices. Many are £60+ per day. I have finally found one I like after about a year of looking on and off. He will be going for 2 half days and they cost £23.80 each (almost as much as a full day at mine).The only way I can afford it is as my mum has kindly offered to pay half, and even then it will be a stretch. However, I know that their staff costs in this area of london must be so high.

It really is a dilema as good quality childcare NEEDS to cost a lot of money to pay for what you are getting. On the otherhand, I also don't know how people afford it.