Cost of childcare

http://society.guardian.co.uk/children/story/0,,1705045,00.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4688826.stm

Scary figures out today.

This is why I will be a stay-at-home mom.  I'd rather be with my kids then work to pay for their care.  Just my opinion   (Of course that could all change once I've started being a mom, but I hope not)

That's what we want too.  It will be a struggle here, but we feel it's the best thing.  At some point, we're thinking that cost may lead us to decide to move to the States.  We shall see....

It's amazing how the salaries are so much less here and the prices are not.   I find the cost of living very steep here.  It is a beautiful country, but v. expensive!!  sorry, strayed off of the childcare strain...

This is why I will be a stay-at-home mom.  I'd rather be with my kids then work to pay for their care.  Just my opinion   (Of course that could all change once I've started being a mom, but I hope not)

That's how I feel too. I doubt you'll change your mind!

It's nice to have that choice but sadly I didn't...we were a two income family in the begining I had to go to work and there are many others that have to do so. I managed to save up enough to become a childminder and charged a rate that was fair enough for mum to afford to work and pay me. I remember the childminder I had asking for a deposit and at the end of the contract didn't want to refund me the deposit . I still know a few childminders in the area still wanting as much as £700 a week in the Totteridge area

Don't get me wrong I am not criticising anyone who works and pays for childcare for whatever reason,  but personally, I didn't wait til my late 30s to have a baby to do that.  We were on one income before Ethan was born (mine) and we are on one income now (his).  We are financially stoney broke but that is the choice we made.  I go without any luxuries whatsoever, no new clothes, no make up, using cheaper brands of everything than I used to and I have only had my hair cut once since Ethan was born. 

oh I know you weren't Britwife I was just saying that some parents out there don't have that choice. My income was the largest as Phil was self employed and the first 3 years he was beta testing which meant NO income generated . The hospital I worked for had childcare facilities that had a waiting list..it was only after Jess turned 4 when I got contacted by the creche saying "hey good news we've got a space now" There should be some sort of price regulating in regards to childcare as the childminder we had used to charge varying fees for each child in her care (these children were the same age btw) she cared for 6 children imagine at £186-585 a week each!