Childcare costs up to £15000 a year

Childcare has always been expensive in the U.K.

I suppose the way forward is for the Government to heavily subsidise it.

Costs for running a nursery/pre school have risen over the years. Energy costs, food prices, rents (if the premises is not owned by the nursery/preschool) along with wages.

It’s a never ending circle.

Even with free hours my young GC struggle to pay for much needed childcare so they can work. The cost of full time care is prohibitive for many. I don’t understand how it’s got so bad.

There is another question in addition to the numerous issues within childcare, the issue as to why it is only women waiting for childcare.

I would have thought that the sensible way forward was to see nursery placement as part of the education system - in fact some nursery’s operate out of state schools.

It simply should not be compulsory until a designated age.

I am not sure what happens in other countries where attendance isnt compulsory but early years are a lifesaver for some of the most vulnerable children in this country.

Almost my entire salary in the 80s and early 90s went on childcare costs. We had to be very careful with money. There was no nursery provision like nowadays and I used childminders who my children were fond of. It is a shame that things are still so bad.

Yes, why only women waiting for childcare? My SIL gave up his job to look after my grandchildren as he earned less than my daughter so it was a no brainer.

I can remember a neighbour complaining about the cost of childcare in the 80's, it has always been a large proportion of income.

I childminded a little girl in the 70's, I was paid 10p and hour! I must have been happy with that though. I had one visit from social services and the fire brigade, and that was that. No official ever contacted me again!

We have nursery places at my grandchildren’s school but the hours offered are little use to a full time working mum. My daughter used a nursery for her child for her pre school years and the initial two years were expensive becoming less when the 30 free hours kicked in.
Her and her husband factored in the cost between them even though at the time she was the highest earner.
She also used the tax relief system against the cost I believe.
I don’t ever remember her complaining that the government should pay any more towards this. Her choice to have a child therefore the costs involved were up to the parents
Childcare and the free hours she used didn’t even exist when my children were small

Like Grandmabatty my salary went almost exclusively on Nursery fees/childcare for a number of years. It was a decision I took as I knew it would be difficult to get back in the workplace and I needed my skill set to be current. It has been a quandary for parents for years.

My daughter is now 30 and was at nursery from six months. Some free hours started when she was about three, although didn't cover the whole day and was only for term time. That must have been in about 2000 or 2001.

The main reason the first years are so expensive is because there's a high compulsory staffing ratio.

Ooops! Thinking about it, I think it was son who had "free hours". He was born in 1997 and also went to nursery from the age of six months.

Galaxy

I am not sure what happens in other countries where attendance isnt compulsory but early years are a lifesaver for some of the most vulnerable children in this country.

In France it is available from 2 in certain places but not compulsory until 3. It seems the law has been recently changed. But they are fed a three course lunch and nap in the afternoon..

Whitewavemark2

I would have thought that the sensible way forward was to see nursery placement as part of the education system - in fact some nursery’s operate out of state schools.

It simply should not be compulsory until a designated age.

They do operate in state schools but parents still pay extra until the children move into the reception class. I am in a fortunate position. I could afford to leave paid work and help my three adult DC with childcare. We can live off of DH income. Many waspi women are forced to remain in the workforce so cannot take on the caring roles they once willingly did.

You can only afford to spend your whole wages on a nursery place if you have someone else paying all the other bills

I don't know about all settings, but in my experience nurseries are far more costly to run per head than classes higher up the school. Staff, physical space, equipment etc.

I looked after my own children. I regarded that as my job, and I loved it.

To be fair the OP said childcare place not nursery

Joseanne

I don't know about all settings, but in my experience nurseries are far more costly to run per head than classes higher up the school. Staff, physical space, equipment etc.

Yes, I think the biggest issue is staff. I can't remember the exact ratios, but I think it's 1:3 for under two year olds. Even though nursery staff aren't paid as well as teachers, it's still a lot of money.

JaneJudge

To be fair the OP said childcare place not nursery

I'm not sure what the difference is.

Childcare place could be childminder, playgroup, nursery class within a school, private day nursery. Very different 'cost' for each.

The term “childcare” of course covers everything, which is why the heading says up to

You can only afford to look after your own children if you have someone else paying all your bills.

The reason it’s women waiting for childcare places is because a) children are still mostly women’s responsibility, and b) women overall generally earn less, a fact exacerbated by having children.

There will be another scandal in 20/30/40 years time, when the lack of childcare > lower earning = low pensions.

When child number 4 arrived although their siblings were all at school it was cheaper to employ a Nanny than nursery and wraparound pre/after school care.

She only usually worked three days a week, the others I juggled and took youngest into work with me. It was the school holidays that she was a lifesaver.

(37 years later we are still in touch as are her children and ours)