Help with Costs for Childcare in West Sussex and Hampshire
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Tax-Free Childcare Scheme
The government’s Tax-Free Childcare scheme is designed so that for every 80p a parent/carer puts into their Tax-Free Childcare account, the government will top up by 20p. This essentially means that parents/carers can get their basic rate tax back on their childcare invoices.
Eligible parents/carers can claim up to £2000 per child per year under this scheme and it is available to all workers, including those who are self-employed.
To qualify for the government’s Tax-Free Childcare a parent/carer (and partner if there is one) need to be working and each person must earn a minimum of £140 a week and less than £100,000 a year.
If a parent/carer is eligible for this scheme you will need to create an online childcare account via the government’s Tax-Free Childcare site www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare. It should take approximately 20 minutes to set up and you will also need your National Insurance number.
You will be able to pay money into your Tax-Free Childcare account by setting up a standing order or by making a payment from your bank account (using your debit card). The government should then top up your account with the extra funds the same day. For example, if you put in £80, it should be boosted by £20 to £100 within hours.
The fastest way for money to arrive in your account is via bank transfer and once the funds are in your Tax-Free Childcare account you can release the funds to settle your nursery invoice.
We have accounts set up under this scheme for all our nurseries and the appropriate account for your child’s nursery can be found by searching under the relevant post code or OFSTED registration number for the setting.
If a payment is made from your Tax-Free Childcare account before 2.30pm then the funds should arrive in our bank account the same day. After 2.30pm, or on a weekend/bank holiday then the money will arrive in our account on the next working day. However, in some cases it can take up to 3 working days to reach our account so please plan your payments to avoid missing invoice payment dates and possibly incurring late payment fees.
You can find out more about the government’s Tax-Free Childcare scheme by visiting their website www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare
Extended Childcare Funding Explained
We understand that paying for childcare can be challenging. That’s why we’re here to help you explore the best funding options available.
New Funding Options Starting September 2024:
- For Children Aged 9 Months to 3 Years: You may qualify for 15 hours of funded childcare per week, available over 38 weeks each year.
- For Children Aged 3 to 4 Years: You may be eligible for 30 hours of funded childcare per week, available over 38 weeks each year.
Our nurseries are open 51 weeks a year. This allows us to spread the funded hours across the entire year, offering you 11 or 22 hours of funding per week.
Eligibility Criteria:
The number of funded childcare hours you can receive depends on various factors, including:
- Your child’s age
- Your employment status
- Your household income
- Your immigration status
To check your eligibility, visit the Childcare Choices website. If you don’t already have a childcare account, you can create one on the government’s website and apply for your eligibility code.
For more information, you can visit the GOV.UK website and the Family and Childcare Trust. These resources provide detailed guidance to help you understand and access the available funding.
To enquire about a place or arrange a tour – Call 01403 334870