Child Maintenance - your opinion needed

Since my wife left in October I have been paying £243 in the form of childcare vouchers direct to my son's nusery and £190 direct to my wife. I have my son on average 2 nights a week, so according to the CSA this means 2/7 back on the 15% share of my salary.

I would have been overpaying to the tune of around £160 per month when following the calculations. I have been fairy happy to do this on the basis that I felt it was a joint decision for our son to be in nursery whilst my wife works full-time. Also if she was not working then perhaps the case for spousal maintance would be different.

Having got to the stage of working finances (I am offering 60% split) some people have come to question why I continue to pay her the extra amount. It is their view that it is her choice to work full-time, and in fact as the primary carer it is her choice to do this. i.e. if he was not in nursery she would get a higher amount directly. Also now he is 3 the price has dropped because of the free child care places he is entitled to.

Having looked at her income taking into account child benefit, tax credits and based on the new amount of maintenance she should still have £500 spare a month. The is more than I currently have.

I suppose my question is should I continue overpaying, or should I think of my own circumstances and pay the right amount. Who says the CSA recommendation is the right level anyway?

Would value some independent thoughts on my dilema?

Thanks

I think most parents with care would say that the CSA figure is nowhere near enough. Why don't you drop the amount you pay to the nursery by half the reduction (so you both benefit from it).

Sadie