Oh I didn’t even think about 5 week months 🙃 It really doesn’t, I appreciate there’s been a bit of progress introducing this new funding etc but it just isn’t enough unfortunately
Totally agree, I think when our funding kicks in I’ll still be paying almost £600 for just 2 days a week. That’s an insane amount of cash a month still. I’m pregnant with baby 2 and doing the mental math into how I do this again with 2 in childcare and working full time 🤦🏼♀️
You could consider childminders as they are generally a lot cheaper. We ended up using one when we moved house as the nurseries were all full and it’s been fantastic. He’s in a lovely environment, is our and about every day and gets to interact with older children as well as those his age (the childminder has a team so there are more children than some places). I live in zone 4/5 London and paid significantly less than £1400 pre his funded hours. Also don’t forget it’ll be a bit less after taxfree childcare (which I assume you’re eligible for as you mention the free hours).
That is a lot! I don’t live in London so I can’t say. Although it is still expensive up north, just not as expensive. From September 2025 all children will get 30 free hours from the age of 9 months which will help further. Combined with the 20% tax relief too 🙏🏻 x
It's an absolute fucking joke, feels like you're being punished for going back to work 🙃 (although they're bringing in the tiny bit of funding; too little too late as far as I'm concerned) x
The price is worst here in California
Honestly, it’s a killer. I do 2 days a week and it’s £1080 for a 4 week month, I dread 5 week months 🤦🏼♀️ Looked forward to the funding but had to wait till September when she’s 2.5 rather than 2 due to the funding rounds. It’s scary and definitely doesn’t encourage mothers back into the workforce, which is ultimately needed to pay taxes to cover the “free” funded hours for all 🤦🏼♀️