Today, the Government launches a new Childcare Choices website* for parents to find available support, which includes the launch of Tax-Free Childcare and thirty hours free childcare for three and four year old children.
The Tax-Free Childcare scheme begins on 28th April, for parents of the youngest children (under 12 or under 17 if disabled), and will be rolled out over the rest of the year, with the Government arguing that it will cut childcare costs for working families by up to £2,000 per child per year, or £4,000 for disabled children.
Under the scheme, working parents will be able to apply through the childcare service to open an online childcare account...
"For every £8 that families or friends pay in, the Government will make a top-up payment of an additional £2, up to a maximum of £2,000 per child per year or £4,000 for disabled children" the Government states "This top up is added instantly and parents can then send electronic payments directly to their childcare providers."
The scheme can be used to pay registered childminders, nurseries, registered after-school clubs and playschemes, registered schools and home careworkers working for a registered home care agency.
Meanwhile, from September, parents of three and four year old children will be able to apply for a new thirty hours free childcare offer, worth, states the Government, around £5,000 per child.
Working parents will be able to apply online through the childcare service and will receive a code to give to childcare provider to arrange a place before September.
These new offers build on the childcare support already available which include 15 hours free childcare for all three and four year olds, 15 hours for disadvantaged two year olds, enhanced childcare support through Universal Credit and childcare vouchers.
The Childcare Choices website includes a Childcare Calculator** for parents to compare all the Government's childcare offers and check what works best for their families.
"The new Childcare Choices website provides busy families with options that suit their needs, so they can clearly see which childcare offer works best for them" says David Gauke, Chief Secretary to the Treasury "For the first time, we have brought all the childcare options together to make the process easier and simpler for families and childcare providers."
* See the Childcare Choice website – click here
** See the Childcare calculator – click here
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