Childcare costs

[Mrs C]

Hi all, I'm keen to get a sense check on childcare costs and would love to hear some views...

Our daughter is in childcare 3 days a week. Next year she will be in 4 days a week, as will her sibling. We absolutely love the setting she is in and would like to keep her there, which would mean the cost would be above ?150 a day for both children.. Approx ?650 for 4 days feels quite a lot, but then how we feel about the environment and what we want is really, really important.

Is that cost mad? Is it normal? I'd be really interested to hear people's experiences. Please PM if you'd prefer.

Thanks so much.

[esme]

Hi there - cost varies with age and type of setting. So a nursery is comparable with a childminder (tho some minders charge more if they have less children to make it viable in terms of income). Nannies are far more expensive, though you might find that a less expensive option? ?150 per day for 2 children is expensive. Nurseries would normally be around ?60 per day per child (rough guide) but as I say depends on the age and some nurseries charge more for less days etc.

[sweetgirl]

If you ask me childcare costs for two children can pay a bloody mortgage!

Childcare costs are extortionate, most of all it annoys me that the staff get paid peanuts!

[SUMMERSMILE]

I pay ?576 for 3 days a week at a nursery.....(extortionate yes)

[Mrs C]

Thanks all for your comments.. I best get saving!

[LV0210]

I live in Peckham and it is ?60 per day (8am to 6pm) per child. Make sure you sign up to childcare vouchers or the other scheme that has launched.

[motorbird83]

We pay about 75 quid a day for nursery and ours isn't anywhere near the most expensive in East Dulwich. Our daughter is under 2 though which is the most expensive age. She does nursery two days a week and a nanny three days a week starting later this summer. Once you have two kids, a nanny is probably cheaper or comparable in cost but with more convenience.

Good luck making your decision. Its painful but this really expensive phase finishes after a few years.