News

**MSE Archna** · 03-10-2006, 12:01 PM

This thread is specifically to discuss the content of the

Childcare Vouchers: cut childcare costs by £1,000/year Article

To discuss or ask a question about the article: click reply

For the old thread click here

mike3000 · 04-10-2006, 10:24 AM

Both myself and my wife are self employed and are thinking about childcare for or 18 month old daughter. Only a couple mornings a week to give the wife a break.

My question is, can we claim the vouchers as neither of us have an employer as such?

djheath · 04-10-2006, 11:33 AM

There is also Sodexho Pass who offer childcare vouchers.

http://www.sodexhopass.co.uk/Childcare/Childcare.asp

http://www.childcarechoice.co.uk

Daddy2005 · 04-10-2006, 9:21 PM

We have a toddler and we want to send him to the nursery in about 6 months. Is it possible to start collecting the vouchers now and then use the lot to pay for full time care? I suppose that the electronic vouchrers would not work this way. Do any of them have an expiration date? Also, as far as I understand, you have to stay with the scheme to the end of tax year, but is it possible to join in the middle of the tax year?
Thanks a lot for your comments,
Daddy2005

Leigh-Anne 60 · 04-10-2006, 9:51 PM

Daddy

Our company uses busybees, and found there electronic system good. From memory i think the vouchers had a 6 month 'shelf life' - so guess you would be ok to start saving now (you would probably have to book and pay a month in advance in the nursery anyway)

Just ensure your intended nursery is happy to accept vouchers/e vouchers. My nursery didnt know about the scheme - but were happy to set it up for me

Cheers

LA

Older but not wiser · 04-10-2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daddy2005

We have a toddler and we want to send him to the nursery in about 6 months. Is it possible to start collecting the vouchers now and then use the lot to pay for full time care? I suppose that the electronic vouchrers would not work this way. Do any of them have an expiration date? Also, as far as I understand, you have to stay with the scheme to the end of tax year, but is it possible to join in the middle of the tax year?
Thanks a lot for your comments,
Daddy2005

It is possible to join in the middle of the tax year.

My employers deal with Accor, and I just joined up this month.

MoneySavingMummy · 05-10-2006, 9:57 AM

You can join mid-year but you usually have to supply the nursery info on the application form for the voucher provider so you'd have to be certain of the nursery you were going to stockpile credit/vouchers.

I use Accor online and there is no expiry date on the amounts, it just looks like a bank account with deposits and withdrawls.

I send my little one to an independent school which starts from age 3 and I am able to use the vouchers against fees for the pre-nursery, nursery and reception years there. The school counts it as childcare until they reach year1 (age 6).

You can also leave the scheme mid-year as a result of a lifestyle event - child stopping nursery to start school would count here.

Gambler · 05-10-2006, 11:01 AM

Does anybody have a draft template I could use to put the case to my employers in writing.

Thanks

optimusprime · 05-10-2006, 9:34 PM

I work for an NHS Trust which has an on-site nursery. They provide childcare vouchers only to those whose child goes to this nursery. My daughter used to attend but I wasn't happy with the service they provided and she now goes to a different one. As a result, I no longer get the vouchers and I am told that they won't be considering providing them for anyone whose child goes to another nursery. This doesn't seem right. Surely we should be able to choose where our child goes to nursery and not miss out on this Government scheme. Does anyone have any thoughts/experience/information on this?

swills007 · 05-10-2006, 11:45 PM

I have been looking in to this but am wondering if it is the best thing to do. You can claim back child care costs anyway and get back up to 80% in tax credits. This would make the voucher scheme a bit poor as if yolu spent £1000 in theory you can claim back £800. Can anyone confirm my theory?

Mollie's mum · 10-10-2006, 12:09 PM

I was so pleased when my employers took up the Salary Sacrifice Scheme in August.

I spend between £200 & £300 a month on childcare, depending if school hols or not, and was looking forward to making some well needed savings.

However, I gave my Registered Childminder the info to read and she says she can't accept vouchers as she isn't Approved. She didn't sound very keen at all - even though it would mean she would get paid quicker as I was going to do the e-voucher option. I currently pay her cash as I haven't got a cheque account due to being on a Debt Management Plan with the CCCS.

I'm gutted- £70 a month saving is not to be sniffed at.

Does anyone have any advice? Is she right - do Childminders need to be Approved-and what does this involve?

My girls have been going to her for nearly three years, but I must admit I'm tempted to try and find another carer who will accept the vouchers.

Any thoughts/advice would be welcome.

cloz · 10-10-2006, 12:53 PM

Molliesmum - childminders do have to do an extra course to be able to accept the childcare vouchers and there are usually only a few in each area that do so. Not sure about what the course entails, when i did the initial course to qualify as a childminder i was told i would be able to go onto the next course and accept vouchers as i was already a qualified teacher with experience. hth

Woby_Tide · 10-10-2006, 1:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swills007

I have been looking in to this but am wondering if it is the best thing to do. You can claim back child care costs anyway and get back up to 80% in tax credits. This would make the voucher scheme a bit poor as if yolu spent £1000 in theory you can claim back £800. Can anyone confirm my theory?

Only if you receive WTC, if you don't receive the WTC element then you can't claim for any childcare element so the vouchers are then worthwhile as up to 40% (for higher rate tax payer) is better than nothing

MadCad · 25-10-2006, 4:26 PM

I'm thrilled - just found out our Company has opted into Busybees Childcare Voucher scheme - done the calculations and found I will save £962 a year!!!!

Leigh-Anne 60 · 25-10-2006, 5:24 PM

Excelent Madcad - really feels like your getting 'something for nothing' doesnt it

Have you checked with your childcare are set up with busybees? If not get the ball rolling now and print off the Care providers pack from their website

LA

MadCad · 25-10-2006, 7:44 PM

Leigh, I haven't checked but I would think it does, it's a new state-of-the-art nursery which seems to do everything under the sun! Thanks for reminding me though, I will check in the morning.

irishesman · 26-10-2006, 8:21 AM

Our company does the salary sacrifice and we ger electronic Accor vouchers. Currently, I get £200 a month, however, my daughter is leaving nursary in April and because of the number of nursary sessions between now and then, I will have a small surplus of about £150. I've check with my employer and they wont stop the scheme a month early for me.

Does anyone know if I can get the money back?

Older but not wiser · 26-10-2006, 1:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irishesman

Our company does the salary sacrifice and we ger electronic Accor vouchers. Currently, I get £200 a month, however, my daughter is leaving nursary in April and because of the number of nursary sessions between now and then, I will have a small surplus of about £150. I've check with my employer and they wont stop the scheme a month early for me.

Does anyone know if I can get the money back?

I've no idea, but my first port of call would be Accor. Write (or e-mail) them and ask what procedures they have in place for this, as they must have loads of people in the same boat.
Bear in mind you may have to pay out for the tax implications of getting this money back.

irishesman · 26-10-2006, 1:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Older but not wiser

I've no idea, but my first port of call would be Accor. Write (or e-mail) them and ask what procedures they have in place for this, as they must have loads of people in the same boat.
Bear in mind you may have to pay out for the tax implications of getting this money back.

Tried calling Accor, but the guy I talked to was next to useless. I've left a message with HR and waiting a call back.

I also thaought about asking the nursery to 'bill' me for some sessions that we wont take and then 'refund' the money, not too honest, but a way round the problem. I'll try Accor again and see if I can talk to someone more knoledgable

Jus H · 07-11-2006, 8:29 PM

We run a sodecho scheme where i work, but the key principles are the same regardless.

as far as leaving the scheme early. as per revenue and customs you are allowed to leave the scheme early for life chagning circumstances - i.e. change of hours workes, change of marital status, etc etc. However HR usually have discretion to allow employees to leave for other reasons, the key question is why do you have a surplus of vouchers, is this because you miscalculated your total childcare when entering into the scheme or is it a result of a change in your childcare costs - i.e- are you now getting free sessions or use less sessions because you or your partner are free to take care of your child.

You should be able to put this case to HR and thus be allowed to leave the scheme. Give at least 30 days notice though.

Hope this helps

Jus