Any single parents who work? How do you afford childcare

[goforit99]

Hi all,

I’m a solo mummy getting ready to start working full-time after spending a couple of years raising my little one alone (no family or friends etc). I was crunching up some numbers and I will only be left with between £650-£700 per month after rent, childcare , council tax, bills etc… my monthly salary is almost gone .. I know when she turns 3 she will be entitled to the 30hours childcare but wow… parents are super screwed if they are single or don’t have support , especially before the child turns 3. How do you guys do it?

What does the money left have to cover? If it is just food, petrol, etc then I would say that is fairly reasonable , particularly whilst still paying full childcare. It does get easier, particularly once they start school.

Have you checked you are claiming everything you are entitled to? As a single renter paying childcare you would be able to earn a significant amount before you weren't eligible for universal credit.

Sorry, but that seems a hefty chunk of cash left! What are you earning?

I’d agree with pp and do a benefit check. As a rough sum add up your rent+ childcare+ 550 then take away 350from your monthly take home and multiply remainder by 0.55 if it’s less than first sim you’ll most likely be entitled to some help.

6-700 doesn’t seem like a lot when you have to pay for food etc

I think you will be fine op, have you made a typo somewhere or do you really think £650-£750 disposable income is an issue?

If you've already paid bills, childcare and are left with that amount I'd be happy tbh.

Budget and meal plan for shopping.

I don't know where you live, but £700 after all the bills and rent is paid is a lot more than we have for a family of 4.

You have my sympathies. My mum looked after my child for me until she turned 3. Working full time, doing all the parenting and not having any real money (you'll have about £75 a week after food), or being able to save, is no fun at all. You're not allowed to have any money on here though so you'll get little support, I'm afraid.

It's only for a few years. Try to do it if you can to keep your career prospects on track x

It sounds like the amount you'll have after paying bills will be fine until the hours kick in? Worth seeing if you can claim any benefits though in case.

I won’t share my earnings, but I have spoken to many people who have more than that! I’m just shocked at the lack of childcare support , that is what the post is about, not my earnings.

Thank you x

Thank you, I will check but I think I will go over the UC threshold. This is where childcare support doesn’t come in to play!

Thank you for this, I will check. The money left doesn’t take into account gas and electricity plus the food and petrol etc.. it seems a lot to some people but it will fly away

I think I’m anxious that as a single mummy that it won’t be enough! I’m sure it will be but because doing this alone I keep thinking what if I have to stay behind at work, how much will travel cost, food, council tax etc plus stuff for my daughter etc

You and one child with £700 left over is absolutely fine, particularly in the short term. Though strange you don’t consider your energy bill a bill when calculating yours bills

£700 left after bills? You'll be fine.

...you said £700 after bills, and then when everyone told you that was loads, suddenly £700 has to cover electricity and council tax. Those are bills. I smell bullshit.

@toodlesthen yes, the post was to have a moan about the lack of childcare support for parents with children under 3. I appreciate the supportive posts a lot and ignore the “iffy” ones x

I was left with almost nothing when I went back to work - but it was better me going in and getting experience and rebuilding my CV than staying home with no income.

£600-£700 left after paying essentials is fine. Your certainly in a better position than a lot of other single parents.

... you can get 20% of your childcare bill paid every month, up to £500 every quarter. Are you not utilising that?

@MolliciousIntent i don’t care what you smell! This post isn’t about you. Why are you getting uptight?

@GuerlainHo thank you! I am after some advise from those who feel that the lack of childcare support that is available to families with children under 3 is horrid! It’s the principle of things here! How do people cope? Irrelevant of whether I have £600 or £800, why does help only kick in when your child turns 3? Thanks again

because fiscal policies that support early years aren’t a vote winner

@OnlyFoolsnMothers it was a typo! My post is to get advise re the lack of childcare and see what other peoples opinions are that there is no support for children under 3,especially single parents not how much I have left! My wages are mine and whether someone has less or more is not my business to argue. Thank you

Because you prattled on about how you're so hard done by that you only have £700 spare every month for you and a toddler, after bills, which is so incredibly tone deaf given the current COL crisis. and then when it was pointed out to you that you're actually in a very strong position, you completely changed your tune and said that £700 is before bills.

Also, you are entitled to childcare support before your kid is 3, so you haven't even done basic research before whingeing online about how hard you have it.

There is funding for 2yr olds if a low enough family income. There’s tax free childcare too.