Childcare is expensive – but worth paying for

Nearly three-quarters of working parents plan to take a separate summer break from their partner in order to juggle looking after their children during the school holidays, a survey has found. ‘Value my professionalism and my being there for your children,’ writes Helen Baxter. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA

I work in childcare – and I am a working mum. So, the parents who complain about the cost of childcare, please tell me what your gripe is (Money, 9 July). Do you moan that food costs money? Do you moan that fuel costs money? Do you moan that the roof over your head costs money? What is it about childcare that people complain so much about – do you think I should work for nothing, to enable you to go to work? Is the living wage that I earn – on a good week, because I’m self-employed so it doesn’t apply to me – too much, do you think? Value my professionalism and my being there for your children, please. And value your children – they are a gift and a treasure. And they’re expensive. But worth it.
Helen Baxter
Arundel, West Sussex

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