nursery costs in west london, any ideas?

[PipJoy]

can anyone give me any idea of nursery costs in west london? massively planning ahead but basically thinking will return to work 4 days a week and wondering how much that will set us back.

also do you know if you are meant to put your name down early, i.e. when you are still pregnant?

grateful for advice from any local people

thank you!

I dont think you are planning ahead at all. I am in south west London and nurseries are very difficult to get places in here. I put my name down at 12 weeks pregnant and only really got my ideal days when DD was 18 months old. The waiting lists are so long and siblings and internal wait lists get priority.

The costs around here seem to be between £65 and £80 per day.

Hope that helps.

It does, thank you, good to know, shall get looking!

I know this is no help at all, but I am at the cost of a nursery place down there! I'm in Derbyshire and pay £30 a day; if you look hard you can pay up to £45 a day at some around here.

lambzig registered 12 weeks pregnant and still didn't get your ideal days! I am 23 weeks and also in SW london, nappy valley in fact, better get my skates on.

I think I will just feel like a bit of a wally calling them up now - but going to do so and ask how long waiting times are I think as a first step

we are planning on moving out of london within a year / eighteen months of having the baby - but dont know where yet - realising that finding somewhere when we know where we are moving to and then having to do the waiting list thing might mean that there won't be somewhere immediately available - and therefore I won't be able to work - yikes!

It depends where you're moving to I think. I couldn't sort nursery out until a month before I was due back at work as work wouldn't confirm my part-time days until then, and I had a choice of nurseries up here. Everyone seems to.agree that Thursday is the busiest day though, if that helps!

Tuesdays are the most popular day here.

I think out of london its a lot easier.

Watch out for the registration fees. Some nurseries round here charge £100 just to get on the waiting list.

Sometimes think I should pack in my job and open a nursery.

£100?! that's a bit OTT...
bloomin expensive business this having kids lark
with the daily rates just keep thinking blimey, if I have another one as well work is going to keep me in pocket money only
not great when you dont even like your job!

Hi Pip...bad news on the London nursery costs front I am afraid. We live in Richmond and the rate per day seems to be between £80 to £100.

Be sure to check the following things to help ease the pain (i) whether you are entitled to child tax credits (ii) whether your work/or (if applicable) DP's work do a childcare vouchers.

crap, am chiswick so guessing will be the same
think I am valid for child tax credits or something from work though so that will help to be fair
good to know in advance at least - it does make work a little bit pointless though doesnt it?
or make moving out of london worthwhile I suppose
mind you then you get screwed with the train fares for commuting - how on earth do people afford this??
worth it though no doubt

I'm in the SE and not london and definitely even here you need to register around 12-20 weeks pregnant. Most people I know have their names down around the scans. Even then I'm not going to get my place at my first choice until DD is 18months as well.

Childcare costs in the UK are among the highest in Europe (particularly around London). It does make it difficult for many parents who are not on mega bucks.

Also I would take a look at the Nurseries close to you and have a chat with them re. registration. I am 16+6 and have been told by our first choice nursery that we will need to put down registration fee in next month to be guaranteed a place.

Also worth looking at childminders/au pairs etc. We are planning on getting a live in nanny to cover afternoon and send our DC to nursery in the mornings only. Still works out about £1200 per month on childcare!