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Parenting

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Original poster

Advice on childcare

19 replies

DontTouchTheMoustache · 08/12/2016 12:12

Hi, just wanting some advice...I left my job while on mat leave as if could not accommodate my requirements for returning to work. I have an interview for a role which looks promising but it's an hours drive away. I need to start thinking about childcare, if I was to take this role would you advise to look for childcare close to work or close to home? I'm a single mum so no advantage of home childcare being close to DP or anything. It's my first DC so I don't know what people would generally do in this situation. I was thinking of looking for a childminder as I believe they are cheaper, would this be something people recommended? I'm assuming they might be more flexible in terms of hours as well as its quite an early start for the role...

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SortAllTheThings · 08/12/2016 12:15

I opted for childcare close to home so that you can still use them when you're ill or off sick. As a single mum that's been invaluable. I also have an hours commute, and the obvious downside is shorter possible working hours/longer time spent in nursery/with childminder. I'd ring round a few nurseries to start with an find their opening hours. All but one near me only opens at 8am.

Is there a half way option?

BertieBotts · 08/12/2016 12:17

My advice would be to look at all the options you can possibly think of, and weigh them up. Cost seems to vary so much that there's no trend as to which one is cheaper, it would depend on what hours you need really.

I think I would look for something closer to home than work, while it means you'll have to pay for more hours, you won't have DC stuck in a car for two hours a day.

Artandco · 08/12/2016 12:28

I would look at a live in nanny. Cheaper than live out as accomadation provided. And although you have set time ie they work 8-6pm, there's often flexibility of them if for example there was an accident on way home so major traffic and you got home at 8-9pm instead. Obviously not regularly and you would pay extra for inconvience but at least you know children are already in own home and can be fed and put to bed.
Nanny also charges per family not per child, so if you have more than one child it's usually cheapest option

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BertieBotts · 08/12/2016 12:39

OP only has one child, I think a live in nanny would be far more expensive. Plus as a lone parent you generally don't have spare bedrooms...

NerrSnerr · 08/12/2016 12:41

The link below shows the average costs of childcare. For full time childminder it's £202 per week, nursery is £217 and live in nanny is £350-650 a week. Personally I would go for a nursery or childminder closer to home. I have no experience of nannies so can't comment on that front.

Original poster

DontTouchTheMoustache · 08/12/2016 12:58

Thanks for all your advice! Bertie is spot on with the accommodation, no spare room and the job I'm looking at is for £25k per year so that would unfortunately be too expensive for me. The job is 35.5 hours per week over 4 days, the recruitment consultant I spoke to says the hours are 7.30 start but he said there is flexibility but couldn't give me any more information so that would be something I'd need to bring up at the interview. I'm wondering then based on what PP said if that would rule out a nursery anyway so again that's something I need to check. It might limit me to having to use a childminder close to work then as I don't know if there would be many willing to take on a child so early. Your advice is helping me work out the questions I need to ask and research I need to do so thank you very much!

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SortAllTheThings · 08/12/2016 13:02

Depending on the kind of role, there may be a childcare option at work (there is at mine, and there's a funded option near by as well, but appreciate that's quite rare). Just another thing to look into ?

Kel1234 · 08/12/2016 13:34

I wanted a childminder because it's more like a home. We were very lucky and found one who lives literally within 5 minutes walk from us.

archersfan22 · 08/12/2016 15:08

I had the commuting dilemma - I went for nearer work but I think there are pros and cons of both. I also think that it's really important to find somewhere you really like, so keep an open mind until you've visited a variety of nurseries/childminders as if you find one that seems ideal that might be more important than the location.

Nearer home childcare:
-Can use if off sick or on annual leave from work

Can continue with same childcare in future, even if you move jobs/have another child or as child goes to school. I am job hunting and it's made more complicated because if I get any of them I will have to find new childcare.
Can go for part of a day if have a doctor's appointment or similar.
In my case it would have meant husband could have helped with pick up/drop off sometimes: I know you are a single mum but if you have anybody else around who might be able to help occasionally (eg if you are ill or delayed at work) then this might be a factor.

-disadvantage is that you are a long way from them if they are ill and need collecting. Obviously if you have chosen a good quality nursery or childminder they will be safe enough while they are waiting but I think I just didn't like the idea of being an hour's drive away from them.

Childcare nearer work:
-Child comes on commute with you: I was worried about this and was quite prepared to resign if it wasn't working but actually I've done it part time for about 18 months now and not had too many issues. Although it's getting harder now to get out of the house early in the morning because we're in full tantrum mode now!
-Child doesn't get to know children they're going to school with/hard to get to know the other children's parents for playdates etc.

Even if the job doesn't have an onsite nursery it's possible they might have a link to a nursery where you get a discount.

Good luck!

BertieBotts · 08/12/2016 16:07

Check if you can get childcare vouchers with the new job - that might also influence your choice of setting.

Original poster

DontTouchTheMoustache · 08/12/2016 16:13

Thanks archers those are some very helpful points to consider. I will definitely enquire about an onsite nursery but I'm not optimistic as it's a manufacturing company so I expect it will be predominantly male employees

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DontTouchTheMoustache · 08/12/2016 16:14

Do childcare vouchers tend to work out cheaper than working tax credits for childcare? I find that aspect of things quite confusing!

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blinkineckmum · 08/12/2016 16:34

I do childminder near work. Much cheaper and I am nearby if needed. Not had any issues with it in 2.5 years so far.

SortAllTheThings · 08/12/2016 17:45

If you will be claiming tax credits you can claim the childcare element which will be more than using vouchers.

chloechloe · 08/12/2016 18:11

We had to make a similar decision, between a local nursery or my onsite office one which is a 50mile commute away. We went with one close to home as we decided it would be unfair on the child for her to be stuck in the car for two hours a day. Probably a good decision as DD hates being in the car and is often car sick!

As well as the advantages above - you can still use childcare if off sick, on leave, working from home- it's also handy when GPs are visiting as they can pick DD up.

The early starts were difficult for us too so we have since found a babysitter who used to work at the nursery but is now studying. She comes to our house at 7:15, finishes breakfast with DD, gets her dressed and then takes her to nursery. This has been a total life saver. We also use her for babysitting and if I have meetings scheduled after my usual working hours. Maybe this is something you could also look into, rather than having to manage a super early start.

BertieBotts · 08/12/2016 18:16

Tax credits are more. Childcare vouchers mean you pay childcare from your gross wage, not net wage. The childcare element of tax credits is better, though there's still a cap. You have to choose an ofsted registered place. Many childminders are ofsted registered but not all. I think all nurseries are.

Artandco · 08/12/2016 18:19

Bertie - I know many lone parents who have two bedrooms. They need a nanny due to early starts or late finishes. So they share a bedroom with their child and give nanny the second bedroom to make it cheaper

For 40hrs a week a live in nanny would be around £300 a week. £650 a week is for live in nannies working 7-7, 5 days a week. OP doesn't need that. If nanny is ofsted registered you can claim up to 70% the same as at nurseries and childminders

Caterina99 · 08/12/2016 19:22

We went for a nursery close to home. Our circumstances are different though as DH drops off and I pick up and we can both work from home sometimes so being closer to one of our works wasn't very convenient. Plus when grandparents come to visit they can walk and pick him up. I don't like being far away though if there's a problem and he has to be there longer due to the commute.

My friend uses a childminder near her work. More flexible and home environment but her DD has to do the 45 commute each way with her and if she's off sick or annual leave then DD doesn't go. Just depends on what works for you

Original poster

DontTouchTheMoustache · 09/12/2016 08:56

Artandco the nanny option might be worth considering then as I also have a dog so I will need to pay a dog walker to come every day I work so that's about another £40 per week but I may be able to find a nanny who would be prepared to take him (or if not he would at least have some company during the day until I'm able to get home and walk him)

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