How much to budget per month for nursery-related expenditure?

[ellesabe]

For example for polo shirts, book bags, thank-you presents, trips (do they take nursery classes on trips?), other random collections (I have no idea...)

How much money do you spend on stuff like this over the course of a month/year?

We run a very tight budget and I'm trying to work out how much to allocate for this stuff once dd1 starts nursery in January.

I would say around £100 a year. So roughly £10 a month. Split approx into £20 for any uniform ( some have summer caps/ polo shirts/ smocks), £20 for trips, £20 for Xmas gift, £20 for every £1/2 they ask for every other week for Red Nose Day/ pjama day/ children in need etc etc. and £20 min on birthday presents if they get invited to parties lots.
Book people sell 10 books for £10 so I would order 20 different at the beginning and just wrap two for each present (£2 each then). Get unisex ones suitable fr say 2-5 year olds so suitable for anyone

All depends on how expensive yor nursery is. Some charge £40 for a smock for example, some £3 for polo top. Some only do free park trips, some large excursions.

I think that really depends on the nursery...

Mine go to preschool, there is no required uniform but they can wear a jumper. I bought 2 @ £8.95 each and they are currently doing service for child number 2 and will be passed to child number 3 next year, so very small outlay.

They have a lot of fundraising events, I guess I put about £5 per month in for various raffle tickets and sponsored bits, I also bake cakes for cake sales etc.

They do do trips, one per year and usually costs about £10.

Thankyou presents - I make jam / chutney and it is always very well appreciated and cheap!

Book bags you can get off Amazon for £4 - my DD1's for school will probably last 2 years, it's in its second year and getting tatty so I envisage a new one next year - but that is a primary school pupil where they get significantly harder wear... I'm not exactly sure what she uses it for, but it is very battered!

I guess if on average you allowed £15 per month, that would be very generous and cover a lot, unless it is compulsory uniform and lots of trips.

But, like I say, it will depend on the nursery. When DD1 was at a day nursery as a baby there were no extra costs at all above a wee present at Christmas.

Last childminder was the same - all inclusive except for minor presents.

Current childminder charges £10 extra per week on top of fees during school holidays for ice creams / day trips / treats (she didn't ask, I offered as they love the trips out and I didn't want to see her out of pocket at all - means they all have a fab time and she can say yes to ice creams and small treats in shops without having to fund it). I think she is worth twice what I pay her anyway!

I've just kitted my ds out for nursery in January. I've spent:

• x2 School Logo sweatshirts £20
• x4 M&S Polo shirts £6
• x4 M&S joggers £20
• M&S black indoor shoes £4

He already has a backpack, wellies and waterproofs, which nursery requests they have.

End of year presents £10-15 depending on how many staff their are.
Trips £10 a term (this is guess).
Charity 'events' £10 a term (again a guess).

So £50 initial outlay + £30 per term for extras, I have estimated.