NOW CLOSED: Please take a very quick survey on what can be done about childcare costs

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello

As many of you will know, the Coalition is in the throes of discussing policies to address the thorny issue of childcare costs (see also discussion on this thread).

Justine is going to be speaking at an event hosted by the Resolution Foundation this Thursday, discussing what can be done - and at what price.

So we'd love all MNers with children to take this honestly, truly super-quick four-question survey (and two of the questions are about your children's ages and where you live ) so that we can try to get a sense of what solutions MNers would like to see.


MNHQ

[mumnosbest]

done... but i'd rather see less pressure on parents to return to work and more support for parents who want to stay at home during the early yrs and support for returning to work.

[Anjou]

Done. Via mobile. I pressed 'complete' and Survey monkey has been processing ever since (30 minutes ago). Looks like my response will time out. I wrote a pretty big 'other' reply, and would rather not have to type it all out on my phone again!

[LexyMa]

I don't see the rationale for paying for childcare of SAHPs who are so by choice, other than the 15 hours from 3 y. However I would like to see the definition of 'employment' widened to include caring responsibilities (I.e. a disabled dependent), study, work experience (workfare or whatever placements the DWP makes people do if on JSA), and voluntary work with registered charities or community groups.

That would mean that for anyone without the qualifications or experience to earn enough to pay for childcare, the "we would be worse off" argument, a number of other worthwhile activities would count for NI contributing time and notional pay that could be offset against tax, so you don't earn anything but spend 10 hrs a week in sure start centre as a bf peer supporter, another 5-10hrs (nights, variable actual time, from home) as a LLL phone answer person. You get 20 hrs NI 'stamps' made from the budget that would have paid your JSA if you were seeking work, and you get govt funded childcare for the 10 hrs you work at SS centre. Isn't that 'big society'?

[Bubblegum78]

done

[Meglet]

done.

[Woofsaidtheladybird]

Done!

[metafarcical]

What Blueberry said. I'm priced out of work by childcare costs for multiples.

[financialwizard]

Done.

[ReneandGeorgetteMagritte]

jellybeans I'm so glad someone else feels the same way as me. I had to write my own option in that survey, none existed for 'support SAHP and flexible working'. That is real freedom of choice.

done anyway.

[Joelybear]

Done

[MerryCouthyMows]

Done.

[BlueyDragon]

Done. But it was a bit limited tbh. I couldn't add that this is one area where I would support a universal system. If you use childcare so you can work and contribute to the economy in that way (yes, SAHPs who don't use childcare make a contribution to the economy too, I do understand that but haven't come up with a way of recognising that yet) then you should get some meaningful recognition for that regardless of what form of childcare you use, your employment status or your income. I realise the last statement is controversial, after all surely the top earners can afford their childcare? I'm a high earner but I get absolutely kicked milked at every turn and still seem to be constantly expected to pay more. Without my childcare I won't be available for milking any more so bye bye a sizeable tax payout to public coffers (I don't earn enough to indulge in tax avoidance), one full time job and one part-time job (the people I need to support me doing the work I do.

[PetiteRaleuse]

In France many nurseries are subsidised by the state and parental contribution is means tested. There aren't enough places in all towns, but it is a viable option.

[plantsitter]

Done, but why were the choices in the first question in a different order in the second? Is there a secret agenda?

[RB68]

I think it is far more fundamental - the whole system of childcare needs to be looked at for both school and pre school kids. We need end to end systems for school children - as well as places of education schools need to have care solutions in place from 8 till 6 - its a really long day for kids if they are schooled the whole time but I think combined with clubs, homework time (prep!) sports activities and just general play this could be manageable and would reduce stress, anxiety and impact on work hours trying to arrange cover for gaps for Mums in particular as this generally falls to them. The cost of running such choldcare for school and preschool also needs looking at as does the regulation that applies, it needs to be seamless, easy to interpret, enough but not too much (Ofsted, H&S, child safety/protection etc vs being actually caring, independence, adventure and play) have a good system for monitoring and support sensible working hours and pay for people looking after our children. I think this could drastically reduce the cost of childcare, the stress on parents and the interaction between parents and nurseries. I have put free childcare for all mostly as I am putting the child first and think this benefits the child best.

But I don't see why those without families and children should pay this or at least not in full, so maybe we need to sort out a different way of paying for it that makes it seem fair to those without families so we don't get this constant tension between people with different needs.

[TiddlerCat]

Support SAHP who have chosen to modify their lifestyle in order to do the most important job in the world, caring for and nurturing the future generation. The Government needs to look at the research on the importance of the early years before school. I had a relatively well paid job and chose to look after my children instead, what help do I get from the Government, bugger all. We have just had our child benefit stopped - are we rich, no. If the married persons tax allowance was taken into account we could at least use my entitlement. I feel like I don't exist in the Government's eyes.

[HeathRobinson]

RB68 - you say - But I don't see why those without families and children should pay this or at least not in full, so maybe we need to sort out a different way of paying for it that makes it seem fair to those without families -

you couldn't make the burden of paying this fall on every family though, not fair on SAHPs.

[DairyBeetle]

Done,

While I most like the idea of free pre-school child care for all, I am under no illusion that I will likely see this as I see pigs fly of Westminster...

Though as others have said more support and a change in attitudes regarding flexible working and working from home would go along way to helping. DH's job means that we are having to relocate, which means I'm having to resign from a job where my employer has let me drop down to four days (would have liked three but living and child care costs are too high for that to be managable). Advice from my current manager and others (including trained careers advisors) has been not to mention needing to work p/t or flexibly when applying for new jobs...

[Pam100127]

I'm not sure I would use childcare anyway. I'm a stay at home mum, but I respect other peoples choice to work. I hated the thought of missing my kids doing things or someone else scolding them for minor misdemeanors but it works out for many & we've learnt to reduce our spending to fit in with one income.

[AntoinetteCosway]

Done.

[NinjaChipmunk]

Done. The cost of childcare where I live (greater london) is huge. To put dc2 in nursery 3 days a week is the same as my take home wage for those 3 days. I have to do it to keep myself in the job market for the future even though I will lose money. We have just lost our cb. We will struggle for money for the next few years. The government really needs to do something positive with childcare provision to help people out. I feel very angry and worried about all the changes going on.

[TuffEric]

Done

[TapirBackRider]

This has just popped up on my fb feed - but the link says that the survey is closed.

[AnnMumsnet]

Thanks to everyone who completed the survey in super quick time - we had an amazing response.

DialMforMummy has been selected at random as the £50 winner...you have mail!