Childcare vouchers
How will you provide childcare?
It’s worth researching childcare in your local area as soon as possible, as many providers may have waiting lists – particularly the popular ones.
Don’t forget to consider all of your options either, as it might be possible for you to not have to pay for childcare. You may be able to manage with help from friends and family members. However, you should be aware that if you use relatives to care for your children, you may not be able to claim tax credits for childcare.
Click here for more information.
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Kate’s story*
"When Matthew was born, I went back to work on a part-time basis. My friend Zoe also had a little boy around the same time as I did. We decided to share our childcare arrangements between us to save money. We both work four days, I look after her son on Mondays and she looks after Matty on Fridays.
The other thing we do is take it in turns to babysit each other’s children. There’s a group of us who met at antenatal classes, and we have a great system whereby you earn ‘babysitting tokens’ if you look after other people’s children. You can then ‘cash’ these in when you fancy a night out with your partner"
*Fictional example
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We’re sure you won’t, but don’t forget grandparents too. If they live close to you they can be a great source of free childcare and it can be a great time for them to bond with their new grandchild.
You can also get extra help from the Government in the form of the Childcare element of Working Tax Credits (see
Benefits Section)
To find registered childcare providers in your area the schools finder on the government direct website also covers childcare and is a handy place to start:
www.schoolsfinder.direct.gov.uk.
How can your employer help?
Your employer may have facilities such as a workplace nursery or contract childcare schemes, that help you with the cost of your childcare. They may also offer additional cash payments to you to contribute towards your childcare costs or pay towards the costs directly on your behalf. The thing to remember with these options is that the amount they contribute is still liable to tax and National Insurance and you’d still be liable for this. There is however an option now available which means that your employer can save you from being liable for tax and National Insurance for the amounts of this assistance. This option comes in the form of
Childcare Vouchers.