working part time - childcare options with 2 kids?

[hana]

Just been thinking ahead to when we have 2, and my work situation. I currently work part time as a teacher.

We're expecting at the end of Dec, I will take Mat Leave until summer 1/2 term. But thinking about going back Sept 2005 - and what options are best? Is childcare really double for 2 kids? Would I be better of trying to 'share' a nanny with someone else? I currently pay a childminder £40 for one day...if I had 2 it would hardly be worth it going back to work (but then it's not always about the money)

just wondering what some of you did when you had 2 kids and went back to work......need some ideas and options I think

thank you!!

Hi Hana, I'm having the same dilemma as you. I have just been offered a job by one of my old bosses and he has said I could work any hours I wanted to, but unfortunately childcare is too expensive. I think many childminders do give a slight discount for 2nd child, but I think its only 50p an hour or something. Not sure of the going rate for a nanny though.

I am going back to work next mnth after the birth of my 2nd dd. I have been looking at the options of reducing my hrs (currently full time) or paying for childcare.

Nurseries charge double!, some childminders offer a reduction if 2 children go from the same family ( but not alot)
Im in a rural area so there arn't many nannies about here.
There is a website that is purely for people wishing to share childcare costs eg share a full time nursery place, childminder or nanny but I can not remember it off the top of my head but will find it for you.
You simply put in your postcode and it will bring up anyone else in your area looking to share childcare costs.....(sorry if you are already aware of this site)

I have decided to drop the hrs only about 8 a week but it enables my dp and myself to share the childcare duties without the need for extra childcare.

hth

Hi Hana,

the sums are all a bit depressing when you've got two aren't they? I spent ages trying to work out how I could afford to work but it was a bit like fitting a square peg into a round hole. In the end I faced the fact that it was a choice between earning about enough to pay for my lunch-time sandwich (paying for 2 nursery or 2 childminder places) or earning nothing at all (a nanny). I opted for the latter. I know some people would think it barmy but I love my job. I work p-t and try to forget that my net financial contribution to the house is zilch. Fortunately dh earns a reasonable whack so the situation is tenable. Don't forget that things will change pretty quickly - and once your eldest is at school it takes the edge of the expense. Have just realised this is not exactly cheerful of helpful but take it as a token of empathy!

Hana, Have you checked out how much help you'll get from working families tax credit/ child tax credit? You might be suprised. They do take into consideration your childcare costs when they work out wwhat you are intitaled to. Try this, it works out roughly what you could get a year, don't take it as gospel tho. it worked out a figure for me that was a bit wrong but it's a useful guide. www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/Qualify/DIQHousehold.aspx
if you already know then sorry .

thanks everyone
pockettasha - we currently don't get any, and when we did (last 2 years) didn't qualify for the childcare aspect as I didn't work enough hours each week. Maybe with 2 it would be different though, I'll check that out thanks
linniewith2 - that would be great (the website) there's a lady on the street who shares a nanny with someone else, so that's worth a look

I do love my job and the time away from dd is rather nice as well. But at the same time, working for very little doesn't really appeal - I know that I can always get back into teaching, but I've liked working parttime and keeping my hand in so to speak over the past 3 years.

Argh.
DH doesn't know the stresses I think about!

as promised its called sharing care and its
here

hth

My uncle found it cheaper to employ a full time nanny than pay childcare for his two

also found another good website for finding childcare in your local area

here

hana - I'm always plugging it coz I think it's so good but if you're interested in a nanny-share and you're in London simplychildcare.com is worth a go