{"id":3039,"date":"2009-06-29T09:53:23","date_gmt":"2009-06-29T09:53:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chopsybaby.com\/mag\/?p=3039"},"modified":"2018-07-02T13:57:13","modified_gmt":"2018-07-02T12:57:13","slug":"are-you-entitled-to-free-childcare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chopsybaby.com\/magazine\/are-you-entitled-to-free-childcare\/","title":{"rendered":"Are you entitled to free childcare?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Consumer champion Martin Lewis of MoneySavingExpert.com, is helping to raise awareness of tax credits and childcare vouchers which parents may be unaware that they are entitled to.<\/p>\n

Currently, 470,000 families are taking advantage of the childcare element of tax credits, helping them to fund childcare whilst they are at work.<\/p>\n

Parents can get help with up to 80 per cent of childcare costs through the tax credit system to a maximum limit of \u00a3175 for one child, or \u00a3300 a week for two or more children.<\/p>\n

With the school summer holidays coming up, parents looking for childcare should check out what they may be entitled to helping to ease the drain of childcare costs on their financial resources.<\/p>\n

Martin Lewis says: \u201cTimes are tough for a lot of people, which is why it\u2019s so frustrating that many aren\u2019t claiming the literally thousands of pounds of extra cash they\u2019re entitled to in childcare provision.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany assume that payments for the government are the preserve of the unemployed, yet actually there are serious funds out there to offset the costs for working families.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cCombining these elements can add up.\u00a0 For example, the average help for childcare from tax credits is \u00a368 a week which has a huge impact.\u00a0 After all, it\u2019s \u00a33,500 a year.\u00a0 And don\u2019t think of childcare as just something for babies in swaddling cloth, actually it can even be summer classes for 15 year olds \u2013 if you\u2019re paying out, then you could be entitled.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here Martin Lewis outlines his four step plan for parents to make sure you are not missing out.\u00a0 For his full information see www.moneysavingexpert.com\/childcare
\n\u00a0
\nStep 1: Check you\u2019re getting your tax credits for childcare<\/strong>
\nPossible Financial Value: Up to \u00a3240 a week
\n\u00a0
\nSingle parents who work more than 16 hours a week, or couples who both work more than 16 hours a week with combined earnings under \u00a340,000, who pay for any form of registered childcare should urgently check whether they\u2019re entitled to tax credits for childcare. Families with childcare costs of more than \u00a3100 per week may be entitled to help at even higher incomes.\u00a0 The average help is \u00a368 a week or \u00a33,500 for a year \u2013 it only takes a quick phone call to see if you\u2019re eligible.
\n\u00a0
\nThe help is available for any child from birth up to age 15, or age 16 if the child is disabled. As well as help with nursery costs, parents with school aged children can get help through tax credits to help pay for holiday childcare, breakfast clubs and\u00a0after-school clubs.
\n\u00a0
\nEven if you only pay for childcare in the summer holidays it\u2019s worth checking.<\/p>\n

For more information\u00a0about how to claim\u00a0call the tax credits helpline on 0845 300 3900 or your local Families Information Service on 0800 2 346 346.
\n\u00a0
\nStep 2:\u00a0 Are you eligible for childcare vouchers?<\/strong>
\nPossible Financial Value:\u00a0 \u00a31,000 a year per parent on childcare costs
\n\u00a0
\nMany employers, large and small, offer childcare vouchers. These allow you to pay for any Ofsted* registered childcare, for children up to the age of 15.\u00a0 You can receive vouchers from your employer up to \u00a355 per week, or \u00a3243 per month, without having to pay tax or National Insurance.\u00a0 The savings over a year can really add up – talk to your employer about what they offer. In addition, both parents can receive childcare vouchers from their employers, even if you only have one child.
\n\u00a0
\nDo be careful though, childcare vouchers can affect the amount of tax credits you get. Visit\u00a0 www.moneysavingexpert.com\/childcare for more information.
\n\u00a0
\nStep 3: Check out clubs and activities at your local school<\/strong>
\nPossible Financial Value:\u00a0 Provides free or low cost childcare in a safe environment
\n\u00a0
\nThroughout the year, many schools offer a range of activities for children, from sports coaching to dance and music sessions to drama classes.\u00a0 There are now over 14,000 extended services schools across England which offer Ofsted-registered childcare, as well as breakfast clubs, homework and study support and a range of fun activities such as sports, music, drama and art.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t think your child can only attend classes at their own school, they can apply anywhere there\u2019s something suitable.
\n\u00a0
\nTo find out what\u2019s on offer in your area, talk to your local school, call your local Families Information Service on 0800 2 346 346 or visit www.direct.gov.uk\/childcare<\/a>.
\n\u00a0
\nStep 4: Free early learning for children aged three or four<\/strong>
\nPossible Financial Value:\u00a0 Free childcare and early learning for at least 12.5 hours a week
\n\u00a0
\nEvery three and four year old can get a minimum of 12.5 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year in a range of places including Sure Start Children\u2019s Centres, nurseries, pre-schools and childminders. This will rise to 15 hours across England by 2010 and some Local Authorities may be delivering the 15 hours already.
\n\u00a0
\nThe first step to claim your free place is to call your local Families Information Service on 0800 2 346 346 or visit www.direct.gov.uk\/childcare<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Consumer champion Martin Lewis of MoneySavingExpert.com, is helping to raise awareness of tax credits and childcare vouchers which parents may<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3039","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bristol-news"],"yoast_head":"\nAre you entitled to free childcare? - Bristol News From Chopsy Bristol<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/chopsybaby.com\/magazine\/are-you-entitled-to-free-childcare\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Are you entitled to free childcare? 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