Controversial question

[Everest1]

So we are expecting our first baby. Im planning on having 9 months off after the birth. I will get SMP. We will struggle for child care as both grandparents work. Has anyone not returned to work to be a full time parent? If so are there any benefits you can claim as we will struggle on just my partners wages. Im shocked at the cost of nursery fees! Thanks

Depends what your partner’s income is. You might be entitled to tax credits or might not. What you need to do is work out what your net income would be after returning to work and decide if it’s worth it. Or figure out what your daily wage would be. Mine would’ve been about £10/day which for me wasn’t worth the stress. Also, childminders are a bit cheaper

Hi OP, probably not but you can check on this website:
www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator

Hello, have a look if you qualify for universal credit. Also child benefit.

I've heard that child minders are often cheaper, so could be worth looking into that

It's not a controversial question. Lots of women in low-paid jobs never go back to work, for the very reason you're considering it.

Childminders are cheaper, I use one for my DC. I returned to work PT after maternity leave, there’s no way I’d give up my career completely. If you are unmarried don’t even consider giving up your job, it’s financial suicide.

Try the entitledto website, put your details in there and that will indicate what you may be entitled to.

I am not going back to work for the foreseeable future.
We get nothing. My husband is working full-time.
I would have returned to work if the alternative was claiming benefits.

Nursery fees are brutal but Childminder's can be almost half the price - if you can find one who is signed up to tax free childcare account via the government you'll also save 20% on top of that

Don't expect to rely on benefits etc - most households don't qualify as the working partner pretty much has to be on minimum wage To get it