Comments:


There needs to be something in place to help forces families. At the moment I have no other option but to stay at home even though I want to work. I cannot study at night because my husband is frequently away with work, deployment or courses. It is always last minute so I don’t have time to find care. I cannot find weekend work for the same reasons, There is no reliability. I find it unfair that I have to give up so much for my husband’s career. The RAF claims to be family orientated but since marrying and living in quarters I have found it the complete opposite.


The on base nursery is twice the daily cost of the local nursery. The only problem with the local nursery is that it is term time only hence why I can’t work. We can’t afford the RAF nursery fees and we have no childcare provision for school holidays for my eldest child therefore I have had to give up work.


I am a self-employed hairdresser and I rent a chair in a salon. Some weeks by the time I have paid child care it’s costing me more to work, especially if my husband is away.


Previously I’ve had to pay childcare to include 2 hours of commuting, which meant I earned very little over the costs of childcare. Not having full time care on the patch has limited my ability to find employment.


My partner is serving and I work. However childcare costs, especially out of term time, are difficult financially.


The cost of child care is such that when you take in to consideration: • • • •


additional hours outside of the 0900-1700 hrs, travel costs,


before and after school clubs, and the fact you have to commit to full time childcare, paying even if it is not used.


It makes being employed unworkable. Support from family members would help this, however regular posting mean this is unavailable. I feel that we Service families are disadvantaged compared to the general population.


The lack of child care and adjusting hours limits the jobs available to me


£700 a month for childcare is more than most part time jobs and childcare does not fit around my husband’s shift working.


I choose to work because I feel it benefits me and my children socially even though what I earn is the same as our childcare costs


It is not a barrier as we both have to work regardless of the cost as we both have our careers. It was stressful worrying if there was a place available at the nursery on unit as I was assigned with less than 90 days’ notice.


The hours of childcare at the crèche do not match the hours of any jobs that are available. We are losing money with me working but I want to have a career.


As I have to move, I have struggled to build a career, therefore I have struggled to up my income. Within the 5 mile radius childcare options are good, but all fully booked!


www.raf-ff.org.uk 27


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