How on earth do I do this?

[learningallthetime]

Before I had DD, me and my husband were both Postmen (well I was a post woman!) working 5am - 1pm.

I've been on maternity leave since November and my SMP finshes in July, I then have annual leave which takes me to August.

I have no choice but to return to work, can't afford to be a SAHM, even thought I'd love to be!

I cant return to work doing the same job as before as we cant afford full time childcare.

I've been offered a part time placement at work, 2pm - 6pm but cannot do this as my husband works till about 5 everyday doing overtime. We cannot survive without the overtime but cannot afford to pay for childcare from 1pm - 5pm, that would be as much as I earn!

I've looked into night work but they are all full time and I would neve have a chance to sleep!

I need a solution but cant think of one. Can any one help me think of one!

have you looked into Tax credits in order to pay towards the childcare costs?..you can see if you qualify on their online calculator ?

We don't qualify paddlinglikemad. You only get help if you qualify for working tax but we don't.

We can get childcare vouchers through work, but I'm not sure how they work really or how much they save us.

Have you used numbers (for Tax Credits) for

1. if you don't work
2. if you work 16 hrs
3. if you work 30 hrs

Could you get a live-in student (mind you 1pm is a late start)

Chilcare vouchers mean you pay your childminder/nursery direct from your wages before tax. My husband and I both get them and they save us nearly £2k a year....how much you save will depend on how much you earn and get taxed i.e the more you earn the more you save.

Re: childcare vouchers we claim £243 month each (I believe that is the max). Its taken directly off our salaries before tax and NI is deducted. It basically means we end up saving about £80 each. The vouchers go directly to the nursery. The true cost of the nursery is £494 per month. They recieve £468 from our vouchers and £26 from our account. But in fact we are only paying £310 plus the £26. Its basically a tax break for childcare.

Dont know what else to suggest. Any chance of evening work in the sorting office?

Not sure what you mean by numbers KatyMac. I thought as we didn't get working tax we didn't qualify for childcare help.

Have you any expereince of having a live-in student? What is it like?

Use the entitled to website & put in your various earnings

No experience sorry

Double check the working tax credit thing. And definately go for Childcare Vouchers.

Are there any family/friends that could cover even one day to help you out? If not look at a flexible working request re part time evening work if possible.

Not sure in all cases but I thought the same as you - that we didn't qualify for help towards childcare costs if we didn't qualify for working tax credit. I have been back at work since January and recently told them how much childcare I was paying a week and we have been awared help! I have called them twice and explained my thoughts and asked why and they said it just was how it works!

I asked for evening work micegg but our office is closing next june and relocating so they are not wanting anyone else.

Everythings happened at the wrong bloody time, completly screwed really.

Is there any way I can work out how much we would save by doing childcare vouchers?

SKY - who was it that you phoned?

You don't have to get WFTC to get childcare help though, you just have to work 16 hours a week or more. This link here tells you about it.

Just the tax credit help line when I found two lots of £200+ deposits in my bank!

I am pregnant again and wasn't going to be going back to work after this next mat leave but they have buggered that up for me now they are paying towards childcare costs

I think the inland revenue have a calculator for childcare vouchers. Try searching on their site.

Thanks for the link Sidge.

I've just been on the inland revenue site and it seems childcare vouchers could save us a massive amount each year in childcare costs.

Only done a quick calculation but it seems really good news.

Many thanks for all your advice, I feel much better than when I posted a few hours ago.