Information for working parents on 30 hours and Tax credits
The `Childcare choices’ website provides information for existing and new childcare offers being
introduced in 2017. This is the government portal for parents applying for tax credits and the top up
30 hours.
Eligibility and claiming the top up 30 hours
Every parent in England is entitled to 15 hours free nursery provision from the term after their
child`s third birthday. Parents will be asked to fill in paperwork in the office and we will take care of
submitting your claim for the 15 hours.
Will I qualify for 30 hours free childcare? Parents of three and four year olds will need to meet the
following criteria in order to be eligible for the new 30 hours top up childcare provision:
• They earn or expect to earn the equivalent to 16 hours at National Minimum or Living Wage over
the coming three months. This equates to £120 a week (or c.£6,000 a year) for each parent over 25
years old or £112.80 a week (or c.£5,800 a year) for each parent between 21 and 24 years old. This
applies whether you are in paid employment, self-employed or on zero hours contract.
• The parent (and their partner where applicable) should be seeking the free childcare to enable
them to work.
• Where one or both parents are on maternity, paternity, shared parental or adoption leave, or if
they are on statutory sick leave.
• Where one parent meets the income criteria and the other is unable to work because they are
disabled, have caring responsibilities or have been assessed as having limited capability to work.
• Where a parent is in a ‘start-up period’ (i.e. they are newly self-employed) they do not need to
demonstrate that they meet the income criteria for 12 months.
• If a non-EEA national, the parent must have recourse to public funds.
Who will not qualify?
A parent will not meet the criteria when:
• Either parent has an income of more than £100,000
• Either parent is a non-EEA national and subject to immigration control (and has no recourse to
public funds)
What happens if a parent loses eligibility?
Information for working parents on 30 hours and Tax credits
• They will receive a “grace period” – this means they will be able to keep their childcare for a short
period. Once the “grace period” has lapsed, the parent may be entitled to the universal 15 hour
entitlement
When can you start claiming?
The date you can start claiming depends on your child’s birthday. Example : Your child was born on
15 February 2013, you can get free childcare when the next term starts after 1 April 2016.
When Do I apply? - NOW
Parents will be able to check their eligibility now using the online childcare calculator
www.gov.uk/childcare-calculator and, if eligible, submit an online application ahead of September.
Once signed up, parents will receive an eligibility code to take to their childcare provider, along with
their National Insurance details. Childcare providers will then check the code with their local
authority. If eligible, parents can claim their 30 hours place (or part thereof )
Tax Free Credits
Tax free Childcare , which was introduced on 28th April 2017 is a scheme which will eventually
REPLACE CHILDCARE VOUCHERS. Childcare vouchers are being phased out and there will be no new
applications granted after April 2018
Are you eligible for tax free credits?
If you pay for childcare, work 16+hours per week ( couples must both work) and have a sub- £46,000
family income, you could be entitled to claim. You can check on the government ` Childcare Choices
‘ website.
If you are signed up for working tax credit , you will not be able to sign up for the new childcare tax
free credit scheme as well.
Tax-Free Childcare offers parents with children under 12 up to £2,000 per child, per year, towards
their childcare costs ( £4,000 for disabled children). Eligible parents entering the scheme will open an
online childcare account that they can use to pay Wizz Kids for childcare. Payments will work just as
they would through an online bank account, using a reference number for each child so you can
identify their payments.
The scheme is designed so that for every 80p a parent puts in, the state will add 20p – so it
effectively gives you basic – rate tax back on what you pay – hence the name!
In total , you`ll be able to use the scheme to pay for childcare of up to £10,000 per child each year –
so you could get an extra £2000 per child ( up to £4000 if your child is disabled) each year.
Information for working parents on 30 hours and Tax credits
This can be used to pay for after school clubs as well as nursery fees
The scheme is available to ALL ELIGIBLE WORKERS INCLUDING SELF EMPLOYED
Both parents or partners in the household must be working and you`ll need to earn at least £115 /
week.
When can I register?
Parents of the youngest children ( under 2) can apply now – go to `Childcare Choices` website. NOW
Older children – check with `Childcare Choices ‘ website – BEING PHASED IN THROUGH 2017
Vouchers vs Tax free childcare
From April 2018 , there will be no new entrants for vouchers scheme. If you are already a member ,
you will be able to continue for as long as your employer runs the scheme. Whilst this won`t be a
problem for many as Tax – free Childcare will replace the voucher scheme, SOME families who are
eligible for vouchers, but aren`t eligible for the new scheme will lose out massively.
Parents wishing to swap from vouchers to tax credits can apply for the new scheme. You will then
need to give your employer written notice that you permanently want to leave their voucher
scheme