The Childcare Conundrum
Starting work after having children or returning to work and choosing the correct childcare for your family whether it's your first experience or this is your third or fourth child can be met with a mine field of confusing and conflicting information. Similarly after a family separation/union new choices have to be made at a time when emotions are running high.
I myself remember not understanding what the difference between a nursery or a childminder. There is so much help available and it changes all the time so don't assume what was available when you had your first child is the same. Once you have decided what form your childcare will take you will need to choose a particular provider. This again throws you into making decisions about something that you have no point of reference with. Also the cost of childcare is sometimes scary but help is available in many different equally confusing forms!!!! Dependant on you as an individual this might not also be a decision based on income / expenditure work life balance, self worth and aspirations also need to be considered.
Types of childcare
All these forms of childcare are registerable and you can claim some of the cost back (dependant on your sircumstances )through Tax credits and salary sacrifice schemes.
Financial Help available
Free Places
All 3-4 year old can get 12.5 hours a week paid for by the government following the child's 3rd birthday.
Tax Credits
This is help with both childcare care and income. There are two elements: working tax credits and child tax credits. Dependant on your earning (up to 55,000 a year for working tax credit and up to
It is really easy to claim you can do it all over the phone !!!!
Salary Sacrifice Schemes
Employers run these scheme and self employed people can also use a similar system. In simple terms this scheme allows you to claim back the Tax and National insurance contributions that you would pay on the money you pay on childcare up to a maximum of £243 a month per person. This is a personal tax allowance so if two of you are working you can both claim vouchers of £243 each. There are various voucher schemes available just Google salary sacrifice vouchers. If your employer doesn't sponsor one of these schemes they should as it save them
Training funding
If you are looking to retrain dependant on your circumstances you might be eligible for funding for re training and back to work schemes. Your local job centre or college will be able to help you with courses and funding available.
How to choose a provider
The best form in my opinion is personal recommendation, obviously of someone opinion you respect!!! Go and visit them, ask as many questions as you want, go with a list of questions so you don't get distracted from the point of your visit. I would also try and visit them close together and write down after each visit what you liked and disliked about each one. With home based childcare meet the nanny in your home ideally at first when the children aren't about. If you like them ask the nanny if she would be happy to come back again and meet the children.
Decide before you go what is best for your child, what your child is like, what they enjoy, if they are a baby this is more difficult but you still know what is important you as a family how you live your life what values you have etc.
In my experience of helping families with their childcare requirements combinations of care are often the best. For example nurseries/pre schools have exclusion policies for sicknesses etc where a nanny might be happy to stay at home with the child until they are well enough to return to day care. School holidays are another consideration for the most part they are usually 13 weeks off during the year not including school closure days for training etc. The point I am making is that you will need a fall back plan or two up your sleeve!!!!
If you are unsure and would like some further assistance we can help you with formulating a care plan that will suit your needs by looking at the following: Your circumstances and the family support that you have, your child's needs, your working patterns and if applicable your partners, transportation, and emergency care. Also we can advise you on how to access the financial help available and work out annual childcare costs for you in your own home.
Other useful contacts
Childrens Information service
Free information on services for children and young people and all types of childcare. Hold lists of all your local registered childcare and support groups. These are normally ran buy your local council but look at childcarelink for signposting.
Other benefits and advise
Lone parent advisor
Council tax
Back to work schemes
Business Link
Free help (some times financial) support and advise to people looking to set up or grow their own business
Tax Credit Help Line
You can get information on what you are entitled to and also make a claim
Voucher Schemes
too many to list Google childcare voucher schemes or ask your employer they may run a scheme and if they don't keep on at them until they do!!
Starting work after having children or returning to work and choosing the correct childcare for your family whether it's your first experience or this is your third or fourth child can be met with a mine field of confusing and conflicting information. Similarly after a family separation/union new choices have to be made at a time when emotions are running high.
I myself remember not understanding what the difference between a nursery or a childminder. There is so much help available and it changes all the time so don't assume what was available when you had your first child is the same. Once you have decided what form your childcare will take you will need to choose a particular provider. This again throws you into making decisions about something that you have no point of reference with. Also the cost of childcare is sometimes scary but help is available in many different equally confusing forms!!!! Dependant on you as an individual this might not also be a decision based on income / expenditure work life balance, self worth and aspirations also need to be considered.
Types of childcare
- Sure Start Children's Centres - offer early learning, childcare, health advice and family support for families with children up to age five
- crèches - provide occasional care for children under eight
- toddler groups - informal groups of parents and carers that meet locally with their children on a regular basis, usually including children who are under five
- preschools and playgroups - provide play time and often early education to under fives, sessional care normally mornings and afternoons, booked in blocks
- day nurseries - provide care for children from birth to four or five and beyond, often integrated with early education and other services, sessional care normally mornings and afternoons, booked in blocks
- out-of-school or 'kids' clubs - offer school-aged children a safe and stimulating environment in which they can play and learn outside of school hours
- childminders - usually look after children under 12 in the childminder's own home and often collect school-aged children from a nearby school
- nannies - provide childcare in your own home and can look after children of any age they can also provide transportation and overnight/weekend and evening care. Booked as and when you require or in blocks.
All these forms of childcare are registerable and you can claim some of the cost back (dependant on your sircumstances )through Tax credits and salary sacrifice schemes.
Financial Help available
Free Places
All 3-4 year old can get 12.5 hours a week paid for by the government following the child's 3rd birthday.
Tax Credits
This is help with both childcare care and income. There are two elements: working tax credits and child tax credits. Dependant on your earning (up to 55,000 a year for working tax credit and up to
It is really easy to claim you can do it all over the phone !!!!
Salary Sacrifice Schemes
Employers run these scheme and self employed people can also use a similar system. In simple terms this scheme allows you to claim back the Tax and National insurance contributions that you would pay on the money you pay on childcare up to a maximum of £243 a month per person. This is a personal tax allowance so if two of you are working you can both claim vouchers of £243 each. There are various voucher schemes available just Google salary sacrifice vouchers. If your employer doesn't sponsor one of these schemes they should as it save them
Training funding
If you are looking to retrain dependant on your circumstances you might be eligible for funding for re training and back to work schemes. Your local job centre or college will be able to help you with courses and funding available.
How to choose a provider
The best form in my opinion is personal recommendation, obviously of someone opinion you respect!!! Go and visit them, ask as many questions as you want, go with a list of questions so you don't get distracted from the point of your visit. I would also try and visit them close together and write down after each visit what you liked and disliked about each one. With home based childcare meet the nanny in your home ideally at first when the children aren't about. If you like them ask the nanny if she would be happy to come back again and meet the children.
Decide before you go what is best for your child, what your child is like, what they enjoy, if they are a baby this is more difficult but you still know what is important you as a family how you live your life what values you have etc.
In my experience of helping families with their childcare requirements combinations of care are often the best. For example nurseries/pre schools have exclusion policies for sicknesses etc where a nanny might be happy to stay at home with the child until they are well enough to return to day care. School holidays are another consideration for the most part they are usually 13 weeks off during the year not including school closure days for training etc. The point I am making is that you will need a fall back plan or two up your sleeve!!!!
If you are unsure and would like some further assistance we can help you with formulating a care plan that will suit your needs by looking at the following: Your circumstances and the family support that you have, your child's needs, your working patterns and if applicable your partners, transportation, and emergency care. Also we can advise you on how to access the financial help available and work out annual childcare costs for you in your own home.
Other useful contacts
Childrens Information service
Free information on services for children and young people and all types of childcare. Hold lists of all your local registered childcare and support groups. These are normally ran buy your local council but look at childcarelink for signposting.
Other benefits and advise
Lone parent advisor
Council tax
Back to work schemes
Business Link
Free help (some times financial) support and advise to people looking to set up or grow their own business
Tax Credit Help Line
You can get information on what you are entitled to and also make a claim
Voucher Schemes
too many to list Google childcare voucher schemes or ask your employer they may run a scheme and if they don't keep on at them until they do!!