in Wales
Back to work after maternity leave
Due to go back to work around March/April time so actively trying to look for nurseries for LO so I can go back full time - breaks my heart thinking about it, but needs must!
Putting things into perspective, I didn’t realise how much private nursery funds are, especially for 5 days a week, 10 hours a day 😣 we don’t have any family members that can watch LO even part time to ease costs.
By the time nursery fees are paid from my wage, we’ll be left worse off than what I receive on SMP. It’s very much a struggle already.
Can someone recommend what’s best to do, if leaving my job and claiming universal credits is an option, or anyways bar from tax free childcare that can help with childcare. My anxiety is going through the roof trying to think how we’ll get by and how much of a strain we’ll be under
Have you calculated nursery fees against your salary? I sat down and calculated how much I'd earn if I went back 5 days a week to work, 4 days etc, then calculated the fees if we sent baby to nursery 5 days, 4 days, 3 days etc. It helped me understand exactly how much worse off we'd be depending on how many full days I worked/sent her to nursery. It sucked but made me feel more in control. You can however apply for tax free childcare to help, you get paid back a small portion of what you pay in nursery fees: https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare