Childcare costs

I am trying to show to DH that we wouldn't be much better off financially if I were to go back to fulltime work, so need to work out the budgets as much as I can.

Can you please tell me what your hourly cost is for daycare, so I can give him a rough idea??

Thanks

We are in ak, so probably a bit more expensive --- but we are way out west so alot cheaper than town (where 350-400 a week would be more normal!). Anyway - I don't know hourly but we pay either 260/wk or 66/day for under 3yr olds. For over 3yrs it is 140/wk I think or 40/day (until a max of 140/wk). That includes food, and nappies are charged at about 1.60/day on top if needed. Shorter days are a little cheaper, ie they do a school day of 9-3.30 but I can't remember the exact costs.

With the 2nd child discount we basically pay 100/day for 2 kids as I work part time.

My kindy is a private one and they charge 3.55/hr for over 3yrs and take a few kids from 2.5yrs which is about 8/hr (no food).

Hope that helps!

ETA: its 160 not 140 full time for over 3s sorry, checked it out today.

Edited by Nikki

Why don't you just ring the local daycares and ask for their prices? May be more accurate!

And yes, I pay a cleaner now too! As we were arguing about the cleaning once I went back to work, hehe.

You could also mention 18-20/hr for a nanny ....

Edited by Nikki

Don't know the hourly rate, but Jacob's is about $50 a day. Remember most people are eligible for some kind of subsidy, as well

You wont get maternity leave, only the parental tax credit as you wont be working long enough.

This is a really good budget worksheet. I would make one up for now to show your costs and one up for if you were working to compare.

You will be lucky to find somewhere to employ you if you are pregnant, you would probably only find somewhere on the minimum wage. Also factor in the cost of buying another car, plus the rego and warrent and maintenance costs.

I would perhaps be tempted to 'forget' the subsidy or 'discover' you wouldnt be eligible for it. One i looked at wanted you to pay for public holidays - days they arent even open for. And if you go on holiday you'd have to pay to hold his place. And if he's sick and you have to take a day of work you lose your wage and still have to pay for his day in kindy. Doesnt make much sense esp when you will just be finishing work again soon anyway!

I looked up a couple. One was about $250-300 a week and another was $5 an hour but min 6 hours a day so would be like $150 a week. Guess it really depends.

$5.20 per hour. Home based care through an agency.

It isn't about "avoiding work", it is about what I believe is best for my son. Working fulltime and having your child in daycare is obviously what is right for you and your family, but I wholeheartedly believe it isn't what is right for my son, or my family.

maybe look at workingforfamilies.govt.nz and look at what you get if you only go on DH wage
http://www.workingforfamilies.govt.nz/childcare-assistance/
http://www.ird.govt.nz/wff-tax-credits/entitlement/

remember you can claim money back from IRD rebate up to $310 per year

http://www.ird.govt.nz/resources/3/c/3cdfa7804bbe593a83a6d3bc87554a30/ir526.pdf

Our girls go to a community based not for profit centre and its far cheaper (and more homely nicer) than a profitable business style daycare, they dont charge for teachers only days or public holidays for example. Have REAL free 20hours for 3-4year olds, my DD's do 9-3 x 2 & 9-1 x 2 days (total 20hr) and no bill /charges at all. if they were at one of the other centres in town it would cost me $160 a week for both them crazy!!