The amount of free childcare available to working parents is set to double this year.

Comes frustratingly late for us as our two are now of an age - just - where they can both enter full-time education. We have spent thousands on private care over the last few years, and I agree with your point regarding people who don't work having free childcare - I suppose if it's free for everyone you can't penalise people, but it does grate.

it all depends on how the private nursery works it out they are nearly all dodgy, they work out your hourly rate per day if your full time its 8am to 6pm as standard then only knock off what cash they get from the govt.. i think pre-school provision should be in state schools so there is more control and better accountbility and free for all..

damn Tories, helping working families!

LoRdPlOps111

Comes frustratingly late for us as our two are now of an age - just - … Comes frustratingly late for us as our two are now of an age - just - where they can both enter full-time education. We have spent thousands on private care over the last few years, and I agree with your point regarding people who don't work having free childcare - I suppose if it's free for everyone you can't penalise people, but it does grate.Read lessRead more

totally agree I quote a work in sales and moved to set-up online businesses which could be run whilst looking after the kids not the same income but got to be a lucky dad who spends time at home.. cricket time is also a bonus too tho lol

Should be increased to 40 hours at least and should be for all parents regardless of wage. If you're not working then you don't need free childcare.

I cannot understand why people have children if they are not prepared to look after them themselves and just want to palm them off on childminders.

SusieM

I cannot understand why people have children if they are not prepared to … I cannot understand why people have children if they are not prepared to look after them themselves and just want to palm them off on childminders.Read lessRead more

Because people also have careers and if I'm being honest it's probably a good thing that driven, ambitious people are reproducing.

Why should women, because it is primarily women who raise kids, have to sacrifice their career? The economy and businesses absolutely benefit from more women in the workplace. We should make it easier for women to do both, not harder.

Your views are stuck in the 1920s.

I agree I think it should be the parents that look after the kids I mean it's only giving up career for a few years as a new mum myself who tried for many many years to have our little miracle I want to be the one to raise her and teach her not some stranger. I am lucky enough to go bk to work part time but be able to share our child's care between myself an hubby. If I couldn't I would t have went back. My view may be old fashioned but it's my view and I'm allowed to have one.

Nelly1103

I agree I think it should be the parents that look after the kids I mean … I agree I think it should be the parents that look after the kids I mean it's only giving up career for a few years as a new mum myself who tried for many many years to have our little miracle I want to be the one to raise her and teach her not some stranger. I am lucky enough to go bk to work part time but be able to share our child's care between myself an hubby. If I couldn't I would t have went back. My view may be old fashioned but it's my view and I'm allowed to have one.Read lessRead more

'It's only giving up a career for a few years'.

Because that doesn't have an impact on career progression does it?

I'll never understand women who don't support other women.

People who don't work need free childcare so they can go to job interviews.

And the important bit here is "up to" its based on how many people want the free spaces, years ago when i had mine it was up to 15 hours a week, in reality the most i was offered was 3 hours, split across two sessions twice a week so i didn't bother.

yet if you sit on your **** you get free childcare from age 2

MrMoonX

yet if you sit on your **** you get free childcare from age 2

I think the government (in their infinite wisdom) believed that all those who 'sat on their ****' would get bored if their kids were placed in free childcare. Unfortunately, the Jeremy Kyle show is aired regardless of childcare numbers.

well government is very clever.
first the gave £500 or £250 child trust fund
£250 or £500 or so for first baby equipment.
now they give free dinners and this which I prefer

workers always struggled to claim anything!
I remember I was allowed less too but this free dinners is good but unfortunately most schools are struggling and I think it will get taken out soon and maybe replaced by this

SusieM

I cannot understand why people have children if they are not prepared to … I cannot understand why people have children if they are not prepared to look after them themselves and just want to palm them off on childminders.Read lessRead more

That is a very broad statement. Both my children are in a private nursery. For a multitude of reasons. None of which are so we don't have to do it.
In this day and age our children need all the help they can get to get on the ladder of life. So us both working, me FT my wife PT, allows our children to live in an area that gets them the best schools without going private. If that isn't worth doing then please shoot me now.
Also we have no family nearby to give either of us some down time. So the nursery allows us to do 'chores' while the kids learn and socialise. Would you rather they could repeat every episode of Octonaughts word for word?

SusieM

I cannot understand why people have children if they are not prepared to … I cannot understand why people have children if they are not prepared to look after them themselves and just want to palm them off on childminders.Read lessRead more

Accidental like.

Maybe because working and providing a better life for your child is better than sitting at home claiming benefits?

Oneday77

That is a very broad statement. Both my children are in a private … That is a very broad statement. Both my children are in a private nursery. For a multitude of reasons. None of which are so we don't have to do it. In this day and age our children need all the help they can get to get on the ladder of life. So us both working, me FT my wife PT, allows our children to live in an area that gets them the best schools without going private. If that isn't worth doing then please shoot me now. Also we have no family nearby to give either of us some down time. So the nursery allows us to do 'chores' while the kids learn and socialise. Would you rather they could repeat every episode of Octonaughts word for word?Read lessRead more

I was with you right up to the second last sentence, you are playing right into the hands of those that say you should look after your kids rather than paying someone, so you can do chores, for many years parents have managed to look after their kids and do chores without having to rely on th tv. Yes it's difficult to do anything while the kids are babies but after that there is no reason they can't. For most people who works part time their shouldn't be a need to have kids in full time child care, the time spent with the parent will be more beneficial to the kids than at nursery. One of the parents at our place took full maternity leave and had her eldest in full time child care, because it was easier for her, never understood why anyone would do this.

We've spent a lot money on childcare, still do during the holidays. At times, especially when he was in part time education, it hardly felt worth it, financially. Our childminder charges £160 a week during the holidays, and that doesn't include days out or his meals. So easily £185 a week. In my old position, that was almost my entire wages for the month during the holidays. But we stuck to it, I worked my way to a better position, and now earn more than enough to cover the costs, as does my partner. Had I stayed at home all those years, I'd be back to square one now.

Money isn't everything. I'd rather work and have a little less money, than teach my son he can get paid for doing sweet f all by sitting at home doing nothing.

eslick

I was with you right up to the second last sentence, you are playing … I was with you right up to the second last sentence, you are playing right into the hands of those that say you should look after your kids rather than paying someone, so you can do chores, for many years parents have managed to look after their kids and do chores without having to rely on th tv. Yes it's difficult to do anything while the kids are babies but after that there is no reason they can't. For most people who works part time their shouldn't be a need to have kids in full time child care, the time spent with the parent will be more beneficial to the kids than at nursery. One of the parents at our place took full maternity leave and had her eldest in full time child care, because it was easier for her, never understood why anyone would do this.Read lessRead more

We wouldn't personally just dump the kids in front of the TV. However if we are doing things through the house while the children play, we do feel they are being ignored.
Times have changed, families used to live on each other's doorsteps. When I was younger going to my grandparents or Aunt/Uncles etc was common. The world was also a safer place. It was easier to get time out while making sure the children were occupied in a safe and productive manner.
Nowadays people are likely to be further from families due to work commitments/opportunities. People will do what they can with their best judgement. If someone wants to take time out and look after the kids one on one. They can, that is a choice. Where I take umbridge is it being inferred that people who take the option of childcare are neglecting their children.
My wife and I will Strive to give our boys the best we can. Will we always get it right? of course not. That is part of parenthood. Where we go wrong we can educate our children to try avoiding our mistakes. I don't think using childcare is one of those mistakes, time will tell.

Aiden1512

Accidental like. Maybe because working and providing a better life for … Accidental like. Maybe because working and providing a better life for your child is better than sitting at home claiming benefits? Read lessRead more

Why would you assume that a stay at home parent claims benefits?

SusieM

Why would you assume that a stay at home parent claims benefits?

Because usually that's what happens in most cases. Not all, but most.

Aiden1512

Because usually that's what happens in most cases. Not all, but most.

I agree wholeheartedly that that is wrong.

sofiasar

well government is very clever. first the gave £500 or £250 child trust f … well government is very clever. first the gave £500 or £250 child trust fund £250 or £500 or so for first baby equipment.now they give free dinners and this which I prefer ;)workers always struggled to claim anything! I remember I was allowed less too but this free dinners is good but unfortunately most schools are struggling and I think it will get taken out soon and maybe replaced by thisRead lessRead more

It was £200 trust fund and it was for everyone and £150 for first baby equipment also for everyone, the trust fund was just to try and pump money into their preferred banks anyway as it was given with a list of participanting banks and encouragement to add to it, the fund cant be accesses until the child is 18 i think it is, so its just more free cash for the banks to play with.

Aiden1512

Accidental like. Maybe because working and providing a better life for … Accidental like. Maybe because working and providing a better life for your child is better than sitting at home claiming benefits? Read lessRead more

My son wasn't an accident his father wanted kids for years, things change at the drop of a hat.

SusieM

I agree wholeheartedly that that is wrong.

That's cool. I am yet to meet a out of work parent that doesn't claim benefits, all of whom are more than capable of working. Of course, that probably won't reflect the whole of the UK. If it's a necessity then that's fine, that's what benefits are there for, to help in difficult situations. But when claiming benefits becomes a lifestyle choice, it becomes a problem.

Error440

My son wasn't an accident his father wanted kids for years, things change … My son wasn't an accident his father wanted kids for years, things change at the drop of a hat.Read lessRead more

:|?

Aiden1512

Because usually that's what happens in most cases. Not all, but most.

Only if they are single, you don't honestly think a wife gets JSA do you when the husband works? They are dependents same as the kids, thats why I'm at square one now my other half has walked out, i was a dependent. So I'm waiting on JSA, waiting on a tax credits application for, waiting on housing benefit while living off my savings.

Error440

My son wasn't an accident his father wanted kids for years, things change … My son wasn't an accident his father wanted kids for years, things change at the drop of a hat.Read lessRead more

Oh, the accidental like thing. No, I clicked like by accident on SusieM's comment X)

Error440

Only if they are single, you don't honestly think a wife gets JSA do you … Only if they are single, you don't honestly think a wife gets JSA do you when the husband works? They are dependents same as the kids, thats why I'm at square one now my other half has walked out, i was a dependent. So I'm waiting on JSA, waiting on a tax credits application for, waiting on housing benefit while living off my savings.Read lessRead more

So you didn't receive any kind of benefit whilst he was working? Surely they helped with housing benefit, council tax etc?

Not having a go error, far from it as I genuinely feel for what you're going through, so please don't take it the wrong way. But had you also been in work, would it not make your situation a little easier to deal with now that he's left?

Aiden1512

So you didn't receive any kind of benefit whilst he was working? Surely … So you didn't receive any kind of benefit whilst he was working? Surely they helped with housing benefit, council tax etc? Not having a go error, far from it as I genuinely feel for what you're going through, so please don't take it the wrong way. But had you also been in work, would it not make your situation a little easier to deal with now that he's left?Read lessRead more

He got housing benefit when he was made redundant and then got a zero hour job, but i was a dependent the claim was nothing to do wiyh me which is why it closed when he left, we never got council tax help you only get that if your savings are under 3k and they count the savings of me too as well as him.

I'd still need benefits to be here, no way could i earn enough to be here on a 9 to 5 which bis what the school is geared towards

Error440

He got housing benefit when he was made redundant and then got a zero … He got housing benefit when he was made redundant and then got a zero hour job, but i was a dependent the claim was nothing to do wiyh me which is why it closed when he left, we never got council tax help you only get that if your savings are under 3k and they count the savings of me too as well as him.I'd still need benefits to be here, no way could i earn enough to be here on a 9 to 5 which bis what the school is geared towardsRead lessRead more

In work benefits are a necessity for some, without it they wouldn't be able to get from one week to the next. At least the person receiving them is in work and making a positive contribution. My comment was in relation to those who can work, but choose not to because it's easier to claim benefits. 3k is a lot of money to some people. Not everyone has access to that kind of money, some don't have any savings at all, even those that work full-time.

Aiden1512

In work benefits are a necessity for some, without it they wouldn't be … In work benefits are a necessity for some, without it they wouldn't be able to get from one week to the next. At least the person receiving them is in work and making a positive contribution. My comment was in relation to those who can work, but choose not to because it's easier to claim benefits. 3k is a lot of money to some people. Not everyone has access to that kind of money, some don't have any savings at all, even those that work full-time.Read lessRead more

Unless you have statistics that show how many people say no they'd never want to work ever no matter what the job, its just all pure speculation as to why anyone isnt working but the fact remains there are more unemployed people in this country then there are jobs to work in.

Oh and its not easy to claim anything its a right pain in the bum

Error440

Unless you have statistics that show how many people say no they'd never … Unless you have statistics that show how many people say no they'd never want to work ever no matter what the job, its just all pure speculation as to why anyone isnt working but the fact remains there are more unemployed people in this country then there are jobs to work in.Read lessRead more

What has the job got to do with it? If you genuinely want to work and make something of yourself, you've gotta be willing to accept you have to start at the bottom of the pile and work your way up.

I agree that in certain areas there are not enough jobs for the unemployed, however at the same time, some unemployed people don't want to work, or refuse to work certain jobs. When you don't have a job, you can't afford to be fussy, just imo.

Aiden1512

It's not meant to be easy, otherwise everyone would want to do it.

But you just said it's easier, its not.

Aiden1512

What has the job got to do with it? If you genuinely want to work and … What has the job got to do with it? If you genuinely want to work and make something of yourself, you've gotta be willing to accept you have to start at the bottom of the pile and work your way up. I agree that in certain areas there are not enough jobs for the unemployed, however at the same time, some unemployed people don't want to work, or refuse to work certain jobs. When you don't have a job, you can't afford to be fussy, just imo.Read lessRead more

Everyone should be led by their moral compass first and foremost, should a muslim be forced to work in a bacon factory, and its not certain areas its the entire country their are more working age adults then their are jobs, you've ignored my point anyway and just said the same things again without any knowledge of how many people genuinely have no interest at all in working.

Error440

But you just said it's easier, its not.

Where did my comment go?

Are you referring to making the initial claim, or living on benefits? I was referring to living on benefits.

So you don't think it's easier to fill out a few forms, sign on every couple of weeks and claim benefits than work a full time job, and still have to take care of your children and household? I would love to spend all day at home doing as I please. So in that sense, yeah it would be an easy life to live, but it wouldn't be comfortable financially, and that part of it wouldn't be easy at all, and it shouldn't be either. Apart from money being tight, what part of it isn't easy?

Error440

Everyone should be led by their moral compass first and foremost, should … Everyone should be led by their moral compass first and foremost, should a muslim be forced to work in a bacon factory, and its not certain areas its the entire country their are more working age adults then their are jobs, you've ignored my point anyway and just said the same things again without any knowledge of how many people genuinely have no interest at all in working.Read lessRead more

No one should be forced to do anything. The point you were making is that there aren't enough jobs, I agreed that, that was ture. However at the same time, many people would rather not work than work a crappy job.

Aiden1512

Where did my comment go? :|Are you referring to making the initial claim, … Where did my comment go? :|Are you referring to making the initial claim, or living on benefits? I was referring to living on benefits. So you don't think it's easier to fill out a few forms, sign on every couple of weeks and claim benefits than work a full time job, and still have to take care of your children and household? I would love to spend all day at home doing as I please. So in that sense, yeah it would be an easy life to live, but it wouldn't be comfortable financially, and that part of it wouldn't be easy at all, and it shouldn't be either. Apart from money being tight, what part of it isn't easy?Read lessRead more

Valid passport, valid driving license, 3 months worth of bank statements with no gaps, proof of Tennancy, proof of utility bills, JSA awards notice, proof of child benefit, proof of tax credits, council tax.

All of them wanting proof of each other and all of them changing stuff as you do one that changes another so the first has to be informed of the new changes again and so on.

Then its being vigilant so you dont forget to tell them something or get proof of something, or dont save do much your benefits get cut off and you have to do it all again waiting at least 2 months before you get any payments, The looking for work on the universal jobsmach every day which is the worst job search site ever created, the going to the back to work rubbish classes they put people in for 4 hours or so a day which i think is really just to weed out anyobe who's actually on the fiddle.

Yes work is easier, when i worked all i had to do was have a couple of interviews and turn up with one piece of I.d and my bank details then it was all plain sailing just getting PAYE done for you and a cheque at the end of the month.

would never be spaces in NI. what about help for school age children?

sofiasar

well government is very clever. first the gave £500 or £250 child trust f … well government is very clever. first the gave £500 or £250 child trust fund £250 or £500 or so for first baby equipment.now they give free dinners and this which I prefer workers always struggled to claim anything! I remember I was allowed less too but this free dinners is good but unfortunately most schools are struggling and I think it will get taken out soon and maybe replaced by this Read lessRead more

​free dinners is used as one of the top criteria for admission to secondary school in NI. complete joke. working parents have as much right to select school of their choice without being discriminated just because they're not poor enough to qualify for free school dinners. Probably one of the top criteria as schools actually get money back from the government for every child who is entitled to free school meals wether they avail or not.