times up

I'll have a 2 year old son as a single father and will likely be in London. In order to work, I'll need childcare. I can't afford a place for a live in nanny or au pair so it would have to be daycare.

Apart from reviewing a place, just what is on offer usually ? If I work, it will be from early until reasonably late and I'd need care from perhaps 07:00 until 19:00 weekdays. Is that practical ? I won't be able to work 9-5.

Any ideas on cost ? I've looked on the web and largely they don't want to talk about money.

Is there assistance fro the government ?

It's a bug "IF" I can get a job but if I can then I'm ok, if not, then ???? but to get a job I need childcare.

Any advice most appreciated.

brightonbelle

Hi,

I used to be a childminder years ago.

Ok first of all dont discount a nanny or au pair as you can "nanny share"...a scheme whereby the carer may live out and look after her charges alternating between two parents homes...or the carer may live in but the parents share the cost by having your child in their home. You would have to pick areas of London and do a search of agencies and find out which offer the schemes.


Childminders, recomend you start with this webiste for general info on what to expect re childcare, your rights, finding suitable care etc....as there is no national set rate, childminders set fees according to local demand.....http://www.ncma.org.uk/MainWebSite/H...F4FDF3DCD0FDA9

Theres also various search sites to gain info on nurseries, childminders etc...again narrow down the areas you looking to live in otherwise you would get too many hits.....this isnt too bad as you can search by location, click on ads to get more info ..http://www.childcare.co.uk/search/Childminder/London/

This site give you a general idea of fees...but again you have to look around
http://www.lilysdaynurseries.co.uk/p...188278437.html

Also, contact tax revenues (link below) for information regarding tax credits. If you qualify, then theres three different kinds of credit you may qualify for.
Working tax credit tops up a low-middle income.
Child tax credit you get up to quite a high income
Childcare tax credit depends on income, cost of care.


http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/index.htm

There are other forms of help.

CAP (childcare affordability programme) caps the hourly rate of childcare or gives discount (dont know much about this, fairly new initiative)

Employers may offer childcare vouchers...for some its a good idea to take up, but they reduce any tax credit childcare payment you may get...sometimes its better not to claim them - the nursery link has a calcultor on it to work out if your better or worse off to claim them.

Once your child turns three the government stipulates they must recieve a certain amount (in hours) of free nursery education....if your child is allready in a nursery then the funding is used as part payment of your fees.


Finally, a brilliant site....it works out what your entitled to in the way of all the tax credits, housing benefit (if renting) coucil tax benefit. Play around with it guessing what your earnings will be, your rent costs (if renting) etc...and put in £175 as estimate of childcare (this is the maximum they would consider and if your working full time in London its gonna be more than that!)....and you will get an idea of the financial support out there you could claim (if your entitled to).

http://www.entitledto.co.uk/default.aspx

Hope that helps.
Ty

times up

Thanks brightonbelle, I'll go through your links.

I know one place near where I used to live in London which was about £3000 a term for age 2+ when I emailed a while ago. Even that was only from 8am to 6pm and thus would not be adequate.