Starting a new your own business may mean that you have to make arrangements for someone to look after the children. Using friends or relatives is the obvious first choice, but what other alternatives are there?
Before you start looking, its easy to think "Forget childcare, I cant afford it". Many people think that good quality childcare and early education come with a hefty price tag and are only for the well-off. However, its worth remembering that whatever your financial position, there are plenty of options.
Most families are helped with the cost from the very start,but you need to know what you can claim. There are benefits that, surprisingly, many working families in the UK dont claim because they just dont know about them or think they arent eligible. Missing out on them can make a massive difference to your choices.
Nine out of ten families are eligible for tax credits. The amount you receive depends on your circumstances and income, so it is important to call the Tax Credits Helpline on 0845 300 3900 to inform them of any changes. See also www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits
Child Tax Credit (CTC)
Is worth a set amount for one child and it goes up for more children. In general, families with an average income (see website for up to date criteria) if there is at least one child under one year old are eligible.
There is extra help if you have a child with a disability.
Working Tax Credit (WTC)
This is a top-up to wages/salary for those working on low to middle incomes. Childcare Element of the Working Tax Credit This is aimed at helping working parents cover childcare costs. You may be able to claim up to 80p for every £1 you pay for registered or approved childcare, up to certain limits. For more info Call the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Tax Credit Helpline on 0845 300 3900. If you use a textphone, the number is 0845 300 3909.
www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits
Free part-time early education for all three- and four-year-olds.
All three- and four-year-olds are entitled to a free part-time early education place. This means your child will be eligible for five two-and-a-half hour sessions of free early education a week for 38 weeks a year.
The part-time, free early education places are available
- in school nursery classes - in state or private nursery schools
- in day nurseries
- in playgroups and pre-schools
- with accredited childminders who are part of a quality assured network
For information on how to access your childs free early education place, including when your child will become eligible and the options available, please contact your local Childrens Information Service (CIS) via ChildcareLink on 0800 096 02 96.
Your choices
Each type of childcare has its pros and cons, and youll need to work out what suits you and your family needs best, based on work hours, budgets, etc. But the first step is to find out whats available near you.
More and more services are providing more than just childcare – many offer a range of health, parental and family services too, in support of the whole local community.
Your local Childrens Information Service (CIS) can tell you whats available – youll find one in your area. They hold up-to-date lists of the majority of local childcare and education services.
Childminders must be registered and inspected by the Office for Standards in Education, who carry out regular checks on the home and childminder. Whats more, all adults (16+) living and working in the childminders home will be police checked. Not all have childcare qualifications. Once youve met and interviewed the childminder, you will get a feel for whether they are suitable for your children Nannies and other home-based childcarers
Nannies and childcarers working in the childs home can apply to the Childcare Approval Scheme and will have to meet basic criteria before being approved. Employing an approved carer under the scheme may enable you to take advantage of tax and National Insurance credits.
Day nurseries. Always use a registered day nursery to ensure they are regularly inspected by Ofsted, but also to check that the free part-time early education is satisfactory. Children will be grouped together by age and looked after by carers according to specified staff/children ratios to help ensure your child gets the attention they need.
The day nursery will have qualified staff and will usually take between 25 and 40 children Nursery schools and classes All nursery schools and classes are regularly inspected by Ofsted. The size of school or class will vary, but at least one carer should be allocated to every 13 children, and the team will include qualified teachers and nursery assistants.
Pre-school and playgroups. Most pre-schools or playgroups will provide places for between 24 and 28 children. There should be one member of staff for every eight children aged three to five. Most staff are trained to work with children or are mid-training.
School-based childcare. All schools offering school-based childcare are registered and inspected by Ofsted, as are out-of-school clubs, if the children are under eight years old and if the club is open for more than two hours a day for six or more days in any year. Clubs catering for eight years and over are not registered by many will be quality assured by a scheme recognised by the Government. If registered, playworkers, and at least half of the staff will be trained/qualified.
Useful Contacts
For more info call ChildcareLink on 0800 096 02 96 for the telephone number of your local Childrens Information Service (CIS) or visit www.childcarelink.gov.uk
National Childminding Association. The NCMA believes every child should reach their full potential. We work with registered childminders and nannies, as well as other individuals and organisations to ensure families in every community in England and Wales have access to high quality home-based childcare, play, learning and family support. www.ncma.org.uk
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