Parents are working from home to save money on childcare
Just under a fifth of parents with children under the age of 4 choose to work from home, with ‘reducing childcare costs’ being the main factor influencing their decision, says new research from MyVoucherCodes.co.uk
A recent study from the discount website has found that just under a fifth (19 per cent) of parents with children aged four or under opt to working from home in order to save money on childcare costs, while a quarter choose to put their children in nursery, and 22 per cent said grandparents and relatives help with looking after the children.
As part of on-going research into the parenting habits of Britons, MyVoucherCodes.co.uk polled 1,312 parents in full or part-time employment from across the UK, with at least one child aged four and under. Those taking part were initially asked to state what option they opted for when it came to childcare as they worked.
When asked what factors influenced their childcare decisions, 62 per cent of those who chose to send their child to nursery claimed that they did so as they felt it was their ‘only option’. In contrast, three quarters of those who looked after their child as they worked from home explained that they did so as it was the ‘cheapest option’.
Mark Pearson, Chairman of MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, said: “No matter what your financial situation is, childcare costs are always going to eat into a considerable part of your income.
“Working from home is a good alternative for parents who still want to work but also want to spend more time at home with their children, and the added bonus of no other childcare costs can be very attractive.”
Furthermore, 55 per cent of those who worked from home stated that they chose to do so after having children, solely in order to reduce childcare costs.
Of those who had to pay for childcare for their children, 59 per cent admitted that they ‘struggled financially’ as a result. One in ten of the parents taking part admitted that they or their partner had taken on extra work in order to ease the financial strain.
Mark added: “Parents working from home just need to be sure they can strike the balance- both children and work demand a lot of attention, so juggling both successfully is both a huge challenge and great skill, and no mean feat!”
A fifth of the parents taking part in the study stated that they were considering the idea of setting up their own business, in order to work from home on a full-time basis.
According to the research, the top five most popular childcare options of UK parents were as follows:
1. Nursery - 25 per cent
2. Looked after by grandparents / relatives - 22 per cent
3. Work from home so care for child yourself - 19 per cent
4. Childminder - 17 per cent
5. Nanny - 10 per cent
For more information, visit www.MyVoucherCodes.co.uk
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