"free" Childcare?

[CluckyChick]

I've put my child's name down to start nursery soon using the "free" 30 hours/week funding announced recently by the UK government. Trouble is, it isn't free.

I can only get the free hours in three-hour blocks - not enough time to go to work. Stick two three-hour blocks together and I will have to pay £19.50 for the lunch hour. Bit steep, but nurseries are business and they did have the "free" 30 hours/week imposed on them.

However, the worst of it is that I'm told the contract will also require me to pay for the same hours out-of-term-time, which are not funded. I don't need out-of-term child care, but to access the "free" hours I would have to pay £385/week for school holiday childcare I don't need. The total cost of accessing the "free" hours is therefore in the region of £8,500 per year - a lot of money!

So, my question: are all childcare providers likely to be adopting this strategy?

[ummmm]

Yes. You only really see the benefits of these schemes if your child is already in nursery.

[Old_Geezer]

"they did have the "free" 30 hours/week imposed on them"
I confess I know nothing of the scheme, but surely the nursery business do not provide the service for free, whether forced on them or not: surely the taxpayer is paying for someone else's kids to use the nursery ?

The scheme as you describe, does seem a bit mis-named as "free" though.

[ummmm]

Free 30 hours for the parents.

[Old_Geezer]

I understand that, but not so very free if it comes with an obligatory £8,500 pa bill, or even a £19.50 a day lunch hour. Were I offered it and needed childcare I'd be less than impressed. As you mention, it only really benefits those already paying out.

[cassa333]

£19.50 is very steep for an hours lunch. Is it in the same nursey as Prince George or something?

You may be better off finding a nursery that only opens term time. That way you only pay for that and then other arrangements for the school holidays which might be cheaper. Or at least you won't be paying out twice

[ummmm]

What kind of Nursery only opens in term time? What about the other parents?

[CluckyChick]

I assure you that we are not acquainted with Prince George, Cassa. The nursery's normal rate is £11/hour, but it goes up dramatically for a lunch hour to bridge a funded morning session and a funded afternoon session.

Thanks for the info, Ummmm. At least I know it's not just our nursery.

[cassa333]

£11? Bloody hell thats a bit steep. If ou pay more than £8 round this way you are in the expensive ones and they don't up heir price for the lunch. It is at standard rate.

At last count my local nursey charged about 25p an hour more than the government paid. You are either being ripped off, in an expensive Montessori type or live in a very expensive area.

You could probably get a private nursery or a nanny for less.

[ummmm]

Clucky is talking about a private nursery.

[cassa333]

Ok I mean someone who does it in their own home.

My friends little girl goes to a really goodnight one that is in the home of the woman and she has 4 kids altogether so can give a lot of attention to each of them. She only charges about 75p more than the government fees for top. Up hours.

If the cost is too much I think you should look for a cheaper on that more easily meets your needs. Our local infant school has started up a nursery and they only charge about 50p an hour more than the government fee.

Definitely shop around. Unless it is your area you should be able to find cheaper child care.

[Jackdaw33]

That's twice the amount basic state pensioners have to live on! What a rip-off!

[ummmm]

I think if you broke down the cost it wouldn't look like a rip off on paper or if it wasn't a nursery. They still have to pay the nursery nurses, cook, cleaners...and then the general overheads.

The problem ls that some parents can't actually afford to work but they also can't afford not to. The Government is trying to help but parents need that help regardless of term times.

[bednobs]

Just ry different places. Have you got a term time only job?

[CluckyChick]

No I haven't, Bednobs, it's just the same situation as most parents with a nursery age child and one or more of school age - we save up our holidays (and favours from grandparents) so that the older one is looked after in the school holidays. So not much point sending little one to nursery when we're at home. Besides, family time together is important.

[evil__sheep]

then i think you probably need to be ringing round nd seeing what else is available. You could look at it like you will be paying £20 pd for something that is ostensibly worth a lot more, or you could find a preschool (which will only be open term time anyway. What's your alternative? won't you have to pay to put the little one in childcare anyway if you are working?

[Samuraisan]

My goodness, my daughter moans about paying 350€ for 7 hours a day , ( including lunch ) in a beautiful kindergarten for her 3 year old.

[jourdain2]

Daughter was faced recently with an over £300 per week bill for 2 Primary age children staying behind after school for up to 20 mins. before she could get from her school to theirs to collect them. What is all this about? Daughter is a Teaching Assistant on about £12K a year. Some help!!