Government help with Childcare

One of the primary avenues of support for working parents is through childcare vouchers. These vouchers, provided by your employer, enable you to pay for childcare services with pre-tax income. By doing so, you can potentially save hundreds of pounds annually on childcare costs. However, it's important to note that the childcare voucher scheme has been closed to new applicants since October 2018. Instead, it has been replaced by the Tax-Free Childcare scheme. See below. If you signed up for the scheme with your employer before then, you can still use it now for any new babies that have come along. 

The Tax-Free Childcare scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to working parents with childcare costs. Eligible parents can open a Tax-Free Childcare account and receive government contributions towards their childcare expenses. For every £8 contributed by the parent, the government adds an additional £2, up to a maximum of £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 for children with disabilities). This scheme is available for children under the age of 12 (or under 17 for children with disabilities) 

You can use tax-free childcare to pay for any childminder, nursery, nanny, play scheme or after school club that's registered. 

Additionally, the government offers 15 hours of free childcare per week for all 3 to 4-year-olds in England. This provision aims to support parents in accessing early education for their children and easing the financial burden of childcare during their preschool years. Furthermore, some eligible two-year-olds can also receive 15 hours of free childcare, providing further assistance to families in need. 

For working parents in England, there is an extended offer of 30 hours of free childcare per week for 3 to 4-year-olds. This scheme doubles the existing provision, allowing eligible families to access additional support for their childcare needs. To qualify, both parents must be working (or the sole parent is working in a single-parent family) and meet certain income criteria. 

At Mum Works, we recognise the invaluable role that working mothers play in both the workforce and their families. By leveraging the support provided by the UK government, you can navigate the challenges of childcare costs with greater ease and confidence. Whether through childcare vouchers, Tax-Free Childcare, or free childcare hours, these initiatives empower you to pursue your professional ambitions while nurturing your children's growth and development. Explore your options, seize the opportunities, and unlock a brighter future for you and your family.