Get help with CHILDCARE COSTS
There is support to relieve some of the burden of the cost of living…
There’s no doubt households are having to make tough decisions. And one of the biggest areas where parents are feeling the pinch is childcare. But what many families don’t realise is that government help is available and there is a website with a range of support offers in one place.
Working parents with children aged three or four could be entitled to 30 hours childcare. Simply make sure you have got your valid code by the end of the month before each new term starts, you can check eligibility and recommended dates for the year on the Childcare Choices website.
Tax-free Childcare could also offer additional savings to eligible working parents with children aged 0-11, or 16 for children with disabilities, provided each parent earns under £100k.
The support isn’t limited to nurseries or child– minders, you can use both offers for breakfast and holiday clubs, too. The best part? The schemes can be used alongside each other.
Housing officer Jenna, 35, has two children under five and is a huge advocate for the scheme. “I began saving money immediately. The 30 hours offer is crucial to our family, as without it, I wouldn’t be able to afford to work,” she says. “I work nine-to-five and my partner works shifts. Our nursery lets us use our 30 hours flexibly, so our support is stretched across the whole year.” ■
The 30 hours childcare offer is available in England only, other support is available in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. All offers valid at time of publication. Visit Childcarechoices.gov.uk for more information