To Work Or Not To Work That Is The Question Nursery Places Available
When you make the decision to have children the biggest question mark hangs over
the issue of whether to be a stay at home Mum or whether you will go back to work. This is a subject that is often reported on in the press and on daytime television. Everyone has their own opinion about what is best for their children or how they should be living their lives. It is a difficult decision to make and often out of our hands. In an ideal world a baby is better off with its Mother for the first 6 months to a year; however that is in an ideal world. There are two main trains of thought about this subject with a huge grey area in between.
Many women go back to work within six weeks to six months and usually the reason is financial. With mortgages, car finance and other payments to contend with it is not financially viable to go down to statuary maternity leave. Many jobs have some great conditions available for new Mums for example full pay for a longer period. Some companies such as the NHS offer a longer maternity leave on full pay than other companies can manage, however all working women can take 52 weeks off work. In order to take advantage of the first year with baby you are normally entitled to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave followed by another 26 weeks of additional leave. For the second half of the leave you will be paid a statuary amount and this is when it gets tricky for some people. There is help at hand and the UK is an excellent country to live in for young families.
If you choose to take more time off work to spend at home with your child during his or her pre-school years you may be able to claim some benefits that will help. You can apply to pay interest only on your mortgage this will lighten the load and save you a few hundred per month. You will be entitled to claim child tax credit and even working tax credit if you partners wage is under a certain amount. Child benefit is enough to cover the cost of nappies per month and possibly more baby related items. If you have previously worked full time and cannot imagine how you will be able to fit in a full time job around your child there is legislation that may help. Parents with children under 16 have the right to request flexible working hours. It may be possible to have it all if you can claim tax credits to cover some childcare and work fewer hours you will be able to reach a happy medium.
If you have decided to work and are seeking a nursery place for your child look online for nurseries near you; search for nurseries in Sheffield or other relevant area.