Going back to work

I’m due to go back to work when my little one going to be 8 months old in January, I’m planning to sign her up for day nursery 2 days a week (my partner finishes work at 3pm so he can pick her up straight after) and one day with my mum. Whats the cost I can expect for 2 full days in nursery? Also how did your baby cope? I feel a bit guilty that she will be on her own away from us. (Free hours are not applicable until April).

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It will depend on your location as cost can vary quite a lot! Your baby will be fine, she will love it and learn loads! Don't feel guilty (easier said than done I know) but remember that she's in a safe space and you're doing the best thing for your family!

I live in lancashire, my little girl is going to be 8 months in October when she starts at nursery for 1.5 days (15 hours) and she's not eligible for the free hours until January term. & It's going to cost us £100 a week for those hours until january

Depends where you live. I live in London my son’s nursery was £74 a day. This is before any nursery scheme came into play. He only went 3 days a week and I paid extra for him to start at 7 and pick him up after 6 which cost around £1200 a month

You can use the tax free childcare to get 20% top up (up to £500 every 3 months) too. It depends where you are. I think even if picking up at 3pm can be classed as fullday anyway. We live in the northwest and it is about £65 per day.

Mine is £58.50 a day plus £5.60 for food a day. It varies nursery to nursery most nurseries you will have to pay for the full afternoon session even if you pick up at 3 unless you get an hourly nursery. Some when your hours come in still put a charge on as the government don't cover the full amount. You can also pay through the government and get 20% tax reduction.

@Jen isn’t that closer to what a nanny would charge? I also live in London. I’m still pregnant so just from doing preliminary research I worked out a nanny would be about £1300/month for 3 days/week. But please let me know if I’m way off

Nursery will always be more expensive than a nanny. If you want to compare prices for a nanny child minder or nursery use this site child care. Co.uk. Also I am not referring to a live in nanny

Also my choice was based on a nursery that opens at 7am. I pay extra to drop my son off before 7:45am the cost adds up. I also picked a nursery close to me, 5 min drive. Unfortunately regardless of the price that would have been my only option. Nonetheless my sons nursery has so many branches in London but this one in particularly has been the best for me I’m sure the others are great. He is now 3 years and he has been going there since he was 7 months. I only plan to move him when he is about to start school I want him to attend his nursery school for a few months before he starts reception

Ways you can reduce nursery costs. Check if your employer has any schemes to help you pay for the nursery through salary sacrifice. Tax child care I forgot the full name but you we entitled to 20% off providing you or your partner don’t earn over 100k, not joint just as one person. And then you have 9 month 15 hours free for working parents.

Another option is putting your child in nursery for half the week and getting a trusted family member to look after them on the other days. This is what I did for 2 years

Also if you have found a nanny that is quoting you £1300 please go ahead and go for it providing she ticks all your boxes.

One nursery we looked at wad £77 for a non-funded day I believe. But if nurseries are like they are round here for you, you'll be pushed to find one with space. We looked at 3 for a March start (LO will be 1yr) and one was full til September 2025, another full til March, then the one we went for had space but they try to avoid ever being full.

@Fernanda nanny will be more expensive than nursery (nanny as i understand is someone who comes to your house and tends for your child). You are technically an employer, which means you pay for their pension and national insurance and holiday pay and stuff. I remember seeing a post from someone who did this and including all costs, it costs her nearly £4,000 for full time nanny. You can go through an agency, you still have to pay all the cost, but you don't have to set up as an employer, the agency pays it for you, which means you pay for the aganecy fees too.

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