Recently we’ve had to think a lot about our childcare arrangements. No 1 goes to pre-school in September and is eligible for her free placement. And while I don’t want to seem like I’m turning my nose up at free childcare as it’s currently our biggest outgoing every month I’m not sure of the value of it.
I, like many parents, work and I am lucky enough to be able to work part time. What would really be of benefit to me is a smilier scheme to the UK. It allows me to have two full days of childcare so I can go to work. When No 1 goes in September there are days when I’m at home with the kids each week and so the Government are effectively paying for me to have a little rest and I and having to pay to top up the long days when I am at work….which seems like an unnatural things to do.
It also means that 5 days a week I have to bundle no 2.5 and 2.5 into the car or pushchair at 9am and 12 pm and to be honest the thought of that is exhausting on my ‘days off’. I’m often cautious at comparing things here to the UK but they offer
All 3 to 4-year-olds in England can get 570 free hours per year. It’s usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year, but you can choose to take fewer hours over more weeks, for example.
It seems like a much more practical solution and a a much better way to support women getting back to work after having a baby.