tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post2868098109536035860..comments2024-03-28T10:51:23.722+00:00Comments on MUMMY TO THE MAX : Why Is My Child Unimportant When It Comes To Free Childcare? Helen Dickinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11909966457102307864noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-82034610523222677652014-05-30T22:56:24.055+01:002014-05-30T22:56:24.055+01:00I feel exactly the same, my son is 1 and I am havi...I feel exactly the same, my son is 1 and I am having to return to work full time as I earn the most in our household, my husband is out of work anyway for the last 2 years (not on benefits) and we have considered the cost of full time childcare but it is more than he earns (the joy of living in London) so because I earn more the only option for us is for him to remain off work and look after our son full time. I shouldn't complain because Jem gets to spend time with a parent, but if there was some way of having affordable childcare which would allow my husband to work and me to reduce to part time it would make such a huge difference, particularly if we decide to have a second child.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-67525641581436439742014-05-28T23:58:48.103+01:002014-05-28T23:58:48.103+01:00It such a struggle, it actually worked out cheaper...It such a struggle, it actually worked out cheaper for F to stay at home with me. So he still only does four-six hours a week and he is 3.5 years as it turns out in our area those 15 hours aren't 'Free' but actually a contribution meaning we still have to pay over £100 plus a month. xwild & grizzlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11757659970211623428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-22105630797375976222014-05-17T20:34:49.730+01:002014-05-17T20:34:49.730+01:00I went back to work when W was 18m and we got work...I went back to work when W was 18m and we got working tax credit to help pay half of our nursery bills which was a huge help in regards to being able to start up my own business. I can't wait until he's 3 and those hours become free though! xTigerlilly Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13801149308851133886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-9835810041151797552014-05-17T07:59:51.654+01:002014-05-17T07:59:51.654+01:00The support for honest working families is dire in...The support for honest working families is dire in the UK at the moment. I am the main income in our house and entitled to working tax credits which means most support we could get to support us is limited due to thei element but I am literally only just on the threshold for it. It makes you wonder sometimes if it really is better to be working. I hope you manage to get something sorted for your little man.Kizzyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14935216607315750765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-27888223834607352712014-05-16T06:34:53.461+01:002014-05-16T06:34:53.461+01:00We were in the same situation and we sent Eliza to...We were in the same situation and we sent Eliza to pre-school one morning a week until her 3 year old funding came through. She just missed getting the funding in January too as her birthday feel just after the term started,<br />I did apply to 2 year funding as hubby was made redundant but like you we were refused based on previous earnings!<br />Karahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04913596958120846642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-87789068409814562272014-05-15T14:04:23.214+01:002014-05-15T14:04:23.214+01:00Personally I believe they need to go back to no f...Personally I believe they need to go back to no free child care for 2 year olds and keep it to the 3 year old funding only to make it fair on everyone. As you can't say a working family deserves it more over a non-working family and vice visa, if they really want to continue the 2 year funding they should offer the funding to the children who need it most who are delayed, have problems etc to help give them the interaction and help they need and deserve. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-64666050944126988032014-05-15T12:43:48.659+01:002014-05-15T12:43:48.659+01:00It does seem like they've got it backwards! If...It does seem like they've got it backwards! If you're not working you're there all day to look after your children. If you have to work, you should get the free childcare.Shell Louisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02006168779893403911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-84890751880553391892014-05-15T09:47:28.583+01:002014-05-15T09:47:28.583+01:00Totally agree. If the parents on income support or...Totally agree. If the parents on income support or whatever aren't working.... why the hell should they need their kids to go into nursery anyway. They should look after them themselves if they're not doing anything?!!! Stupid system! I have twins and had no help either even though we had very little money to spare we ended up waiting for pre school then paying. And then you have to have a minimum amount of sessions.... i think ours was three so until my boys qualified for the free sessions (at age 3) we paid quite a lot out.. nearly killed us lol xCarolynne @ Mummy Endeavourshttp://mummyendeavours.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-54472536708969619042014-05-14T22:45:33.661+01:002014-05-14T22:45:33.661+01:00It's so frustrating Helen I'm totally with...It's so frustrating Helen I'm totally with you. Our childcare (nursery fees) have gone down £200 per month as our daughter is now 3. We still pay over £800 p/m for 4 days full-time. That said nursery has been hugely beneficial for her especially mixing with kids her own age (she's a singleton) and learning more than she would just being at home. If you can do it even part-time it's worth it especially for gaining confidence xCharly Dovehttp://www.podcastdove.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-67113311154150947242014-05-14T22:45:24.091+01:002014-05-14T22:45:24.091+01:00When I had my kids there was no such thing as free...When I had my kids there was no such thing as free childcare, or I would have taken advantage of it. I worked full time and studied and it would have helped alot. I relied on family to an extent but more often than not worked all night (own business) and looked after the kids and studied for my degree in the daytime. I'm glad things are changing for the better, and hope a fairer system is established soon.<br />Love Vicky<br /><a href="http://www.aroundandupsidedown.co.uk/" rel="nofollow">Around and Upside Down</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06273465554711610536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-88999262339376449402014-05-14T22:02:41.222+01:002014-05-14T22:02:41.222+01:00We don't use any childcare, but I do think it&...We don't use any childcare, but I do think it's unfair the way that they decide who gets free childcare or not Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072198366754167930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-7535738497095098302014-05-14T20:55:01.826+01:002014-05-14T20:55:01.826+01:00Childcare is ridiculously expensive isn't it? ...Childcare is ridiculously expensive isn't it? <br /><br />I put my two into a nursery for half a day every week even when I was at home with them because I thought it was good for them to be with other children and the mother and toddler groups around here aren't great. They loved it and we were lucky that we had such a great nursery. It also meant when they were a little older and I was back at work, it was much easier for them to deal with being a nursery. <br /><br />It is personal choice as to whether a nursery is right for your family but the point is that everyone should be given the same choice and I agree that the system just isn't fair xCass@TheDiaryofaFrugalFamilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01491476767414959689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-28131042007468610772014-05-14T18:16:54.603+01:002014-05-14T18:16:54.603+01:00hhmm, post which makes you think, my husband works...hhmm, post which makes you think, my husband works, i dont, but i dont have any rights in this country to get any benefits therefore we wont be using funding as well which after reading your post is crucial, its very sad, i do hope that maybe it changes somehow for the best and benefit of those who really need supportAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13682259347425475324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-55823396732747904932014-05-14T16:51:45.447+01:002014-05-14T16:51:45.447+01:00childcare is astonishing costly , its ridiculous r...childcare is astonishing costly , its ridiculous really xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15511738712487629088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-16154747906785048282014-05-14T16:49:57.843+01:002014-05-14T16:49:57.843+01:00Childcare is so expensive, round here it is £50 pe...Childcare is so expensive, round here it is £50 per day. Unless you earn a fair bit it is difficult to justify the cost. It is a shame when some people get everything, when they do very little xYou Baby Me Mummyhttp://www.youbabymemummy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-78991408120471778642014-05-14T15:43:02.086+01:002014-05-14T15:43:02.086+01:00I guess a happy medium needs to be found - perhaps...I guess a happy medium needs to be found - perhaps it needs to be means tested? I'm shocked at how much childcare can cost, yet we're all encouraged to work xMichelle Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02786732761856671353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-18236081156169116312014-05-14T15:32:46.731+01:002014-05-14T15:32:46.731+01:00As a mum to two older boys (now 9 and nearly 8) I ...As a mum to two older boys (now 9 and nearly 8) I feel really strongly that children should not be put into a pre school or nursery environment at such a young age. I can understand why the government do it for people on certain benefits (poorer families have been proven to have a major disadvantage by the age of five). These are the children that are often just left in front of the TV and have never even seen a book (trust me on this as I live in an area where this is true). WHy not look at attending a couple of toddler groups. We used to go to a number run by a local church and they cost less than £1 for a couple of hours. Both boys got to soicalise and have fun. The best place for children ar such a young age is with their family. <br /><br />I was a SAHM when the boys were younger and we had to manage on one income. Life was tough and I wish that things were more financially equal, but there just isnt the money in society today to pay for this.<br /><br />In lots of scandinavian countries school doesn't start till 7 and children have been proven to be happier, learn more and be more settled. Jen Walshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07374363403295342745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-39538154217399409402014-05-14T13:29:24.827+01:002014-05-14T13:29:24.827+01:00I know this frustration as I can't justify goi...I know this frustration as I can't justify going out to work when I have to pay for childcare for my two, but other parents with no interest in working get free childcare. Your nurserys are a lot cheaper than ours though! It would cost me £26 to put one in for a morning!Bex @ The Mummy Adventurehttp://themummyadventure.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-45408216658083421992014-05-14T13:05:27.010+01:002014-05-14T13:05:27.010+01:00It is awful when people who do nothing get everyth...It is awful when people who do nothing get everything! Childcare was one of the reasons I didn't return to work after having the twins. We wouldn't be entitled to help as we'd both be working and child cae for the three children would have taken all of my salary and some of my husbands! There needs to be more affordable child care provisions and help for working parents. I hope you get the help that you need as Kate says at the term after they turn 3 15 hours of nursery care is free xHijacked by Twinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11178277774364275100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-53924969710068300712014-05-14T11:56:32.344+01:002014-05-14T11:56:32.344+01:00Nursery fees are such a colossal expense aren'...Nursery fees are such a colossal expense aren't they - to be fair, the fees in your area sound quite reasonable compared to my locality where it's £50 for a day so £25 for half a day. It's such a shame that it's got to this. My son has just received his fifteen free hours - when the bill arrived for the latest month, it was such a relief!! Donna @OrdCyclingGirlhttp://www.ordinarycyclinggirl.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-31855101119832041852014-05-14T11:38:13.227+01:002014-05-14T11:38:13.227+01:00Our little one goes to preschool and loves it. It ...Our little one goes to preschool and loves it. It is a great option. Childcare funding is ridiculously unfair and especially for Summer born children, who do not receive their 15 hours until the Sept after they are free. It is something that really needs to be sorted out so that children are treated more fairly.Damson Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11191155678717332825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-86061890219498693252014-05-14T10:43:10.412+01:002014-05-14T10:43:10.412+01:00I'm in the same boat, my daughter is two and w...I'm in the same boat, my daughter is two and we take her to nursery two morning's a week - which is three hours per session. Fortunately it's a ran by the local council which is only 7.50 this gives her a chance to explore a new environment whilst interacting with children her own age, I do feel like prices are completely ridiculous, and I'd love for her to go more but it's not possible. We as a family like to take day trips which also costs money though we try to find places to visit that will be free but still costs petrol money. At least they get 15 hours free when they turn three :) xx<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://sparkledust-beautyuk.blogspot.co.uk/" rel="nofollow">Kate | A British Sparkle</a>A British Sparklehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17727822730107445106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1233948022865817176.post-7700450831414851612014-05-14T10:28:45.063+01:002014-05-14T10:28:45.063+01:00I feel exactly the same as you! We aren't ent...I feel exactly the same as you! We aren't entitled to free childcare because my husband works and I would love for my daughter to start going when she turns two as I think nursery is an important part of a child's development. I really don't understand why working families aren't given the same opportunity as non-working families. It frustrates me a lot! We will have to look at whether or not we can afford to send her but it is not looking likely. Mummy of Twohttp://www.mummyoftwo.comnoreply@blogger.com