Tax-Free Childcare

Summer Term 2020 - DfE have made some temporary changes to the 30 hours free entitlement and Tax Free Childcare to ensure critical worker parents and those with vulnerable children are not disadvantaged during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and can continue to access the childcare provision to which they are entitled. 

For further information, please contact the Families Information Service on Tel: 01642 527225 or please see https://www.gov.uk/government/news/eligibility-for-government-childcare-offers-protected

What is Tax-Free Childcare?

Tax-Free Childcare is a new UK-wide scheme which is designed to help working parents with their childcare costs.  The scheme allows parents to open an online bank account to pay registered childcare providers directly.  For every £8 parents pay into these accounts, the government will add £2.  The money can then be spent on childcare.

Parents can receive up to £2,000 in government support per child, per year, or £4,000 for disabled children. 

Tax free Childcare can also be used alongside 30 hours free childcare

Tax-Free Childcare can be used to pay for:

• Pre schools
• Registered childminders
• Day nurseries
• School based care (that is paid for, such as after-school clubs)

To apply for Tax Free Childcare please  click here

Parents can visit:  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tax-free-childcare-10-things-parents-should-know

How does Tax-Free Childcare work for providers?

Over 100,000 letters have been sent to childcare providers across the country, inviting them to sign up for the government’s new offer. They must do this in order to receive payments from parents.

To sign up-  childcare providers please  click here

For more information providers can visit the following page   Top things providers need to know on Gov.uk

Childcare Service Compensation

Check if you can get a top-up refund or compensation if you’ve been unable to access Tax-Free Childcare or 30 hours free childcare due to technical issues.

HMRC has put together some guidance on how parents should go about claiming compensation, if they’re in this position: Please see the link below.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/childcare-service-compensation