Comments:
When the question states a partner does the childcare “for free” that is not really the full story as they often do in lieu of a salaried role.
The cost of childcare in Buckinghamshire is preventing me from signing on for further service……paying for the care of two children is much more than I earn. The cost of childcare should be standardised across the country, especially when the nursery is on site! .... Or pay should be increased for the more expensive areas.
I am continually frustrated at the disparity of childcare costs across the RAF. I have been assigned to the South East area, not through choice, and the childcare is at least £300 more a month compared to someone of the same rank stationed elsewhere in the UK such as Norfolk. SFA is charged at a daily rate which is standard across the RAF no matter where you reside so my argument is why can childcare not be charged in the same manner. Those that are disadvantaged by being in an expensive location should be given some extra support by way of an allowance. I posted these concerns to a Facebook page and was astounded by the response of many families disgruntled by the same issue and in many instances this is causing retention issues with personnel having to leave the RAF earlier than they would have liked, cutting their careers short as they simply can’t afford to raise a family and pay the premium childcare when forced to move to a non-preference location. I work within manning and it is most certainly a trend and a major consideration for personnel in accepting relocation and assignments. Put simply, people do not want to be assigned to an expensive area when they will be hundreds of pounds out of pocket compared to a peer on the same wage.
The childcare costs in the South East are crippling...... I don’t know how the junior ranks manage it. I am honestly surprised something hasn’t been done sooner, particularly in a retention-positive Air Force.
Nursery prices vary hugely from one Stn to another. SP do not necessarily have control over posting location and corresponding living costs. Contracted nursery providers should be compelled to charge a nationally averaged rate to children of SP.
I just wanted to have a little say in terms of the childcare in London. I live in Putney and I am the serving parent. Childcare is very expensive - £1900 for a full-time place. Admittedly there are cheaper places but these are below the standard I wish. Even so they would still be in the order of £1600+ for a full-time place. The nearest MOD subsidised nursery is at Main building on the embankment - a 1 hour 40 min round trip which is incompatible with the hours that I work and the location. The outcome has been that I cannot afford a full-time place (although I still pay £975 for 2 days/week) and my husband has had to work part time - which is a very suboptimal outcome.
Childcare costs for our family are ridiculous - £1730 to be precise every month. I currently study Adult Nursing at Lincoln University and although this is a full time course I still have to work to be accepted for childcare element from HMRC. This leaves me having to work 53 hours a week, I barely see my husband or children just to be able to better myself and provide a better lifestyle for my 3 children in the future. The cost of childcare is a massive stress and a lot of the time, feel like I’m wasting my valuable time missing out on my children growing up just to be struggling along and being absolutely worn out.
www.raf-ff.org.uk 19
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