Actually can't afford childcare

[CaptWingoBings]

Have previously been in the blessed position of free family provided childcare but that is coming to an end. We currently have just enough money for our expenditures (not extravagant). We will need to find an extra £800 a month for childcare for our two DC. Maybe this is a bit less with childcare vouchers? Perhaps £600?

So I suppose options are: earn £600 more without incurring more childcare costs to do so. Severe budgeting: no more swimming lessons, feed family on £1.

Have I missed something? Want to explore all our options so we make an informed decision.

Sorry for confusing everyone! I work 37hrs a week which is full time. I can work flexibly within the hours of 7am to 7pm ie come in at 10, work till 18.00 one day, then come in at 8.30am work till 4.30 the following day. In theory I could apply for compressed hours but there would be strong business case against as I tend to have to meet with colleagues etc.

DH is hoping to work part time & we are hoping that will be no more than 3 days a week. My estimated childcare costs are in the OP, we can't currently afford them although maybe we can make the budget squeak.

Because of DH hours we can't stagger shifts in a way that would remove the need for childcare. I can't work weekends & DH will be working weekends anyway on top of his weekdays.

There might not be a solution! I do accept that. I just don't want to jump into anything daft.

Crikey, I wouldn't suggest working from home without childcare - I meant working evenings / weekends or even as has later been suggested, compressing hours so you can fit more in (no commuting etc) so you need less childcare.

Is 37hrw full time? ( sorry but with both myself and dh on 60 hr weeks it seems very part time)

When babies were small I used to work 7pm-1am at home mon-sat so 36hrs. Plus during 2hr day naps. So 50 a week fairly easy.

Is there no way you can do half hours at home at least? Ie 8pm-12pm daily once kids in bed is 20hrs just mon-fri. 28hrs if at weekends also. Then you could just use pre school 9-1pm a few days

No, I can't work from home like that.

9-5 everyday with half an hour for lunch is 37hrs a week so I don't think it's that surprising that's my full time hours!

Every weekday that is.

Live in au pair plus perhaps for some of the time might do some of the times you need childcare? Extra working? I used to work 5am to 7am on Saturdays when the twins were babies (although that was from home) and slept those times.

We worked at a loss for a year or two because we were investing in careers long term. It was worth it. Childcare was 100% of one salary - we earned the same that year.