Bit confused about updating CTC on increases in Childcare Costs

machairs

I've been on ML since 16 April 2008 and have kept my other 2 sons in their respective Nursery and After School whilst I have been at home caring for their little brother born on 21 April. Average costs were £118

I updated CTC in September of a price increase in Nursery (average now £124) and recieved a small sum backdated and an increase in my monthly payment.

This month, I have returned to work for some KIT days and subsequently paid more out in Nursery fees as I put the baby in for a few sessions. I have 4 more KIT days left and have decided to use them in half days and also put both the younger ones in Nursery for the next few weeks 'till I return officially on 2/12.

Now, I have calculated out the entire years cost for all 3 at their respective nurseries. Divided by 52 and have come up with the figure (it's £164 if you are interested).

My confusion lies herein; should I have given CTC this figure in April? In April I gave them a figure based on just the 2 in Nursery for the year as I didn't know exactly when I was going back and therefore didn't include fees for No3.

When do I give them this newly revised figure? and, what date do I use when they ask when I have been paying this average from?

Sorry If I am rambling here - sleepless nights with a toddler, 6mos old and mouthy 8yr old combined with trying to juggle everything to return to work along with Christmas etc.............

Any words of wisdom gratefully received.

Anne

DreamerV

Childcare can be a bit confusing, partly because it's not altogether predictable as costs can go up, or you can need them more or less. If the average (124) was right at the time...then leave that as it was. Now, what date did everything change, so that 124 was no longer correct at all? On that date (and they'll backdate to the sunday before it), take a new average. To do this, take the amounts you are paying per week for each child care provider (ie add the number of weeks holidays left in tax yr multiplied by cost in holidays, and number of weeks of term left multiplied by cost during term time) and divide by the number of weeks lefts in the tax yr from this date. This is a lot easier if your costs are always the same, holidays or not. I think there are around 24wks left at the moment (til april 5th). Next yr, april 6th you might want to take an average for the whole tax year.

Sorry if that's a bit confusing

cw18

as best I understand from the renewal pack, the figure you need to give them is the actual (or estimated) annual figure divided by 52

how do I work out whether or not my average weekly child care costs changed?

if you pay different amounts each week or month:

• work out whether your average weekly costs change by adding together what you expect to pay over the next 52 weeks (this is from the renewal pack, so means during the year)
• divide that by 52. if the change

• increases you current average by £10 or more, you should tell us as soon as possibly
• reduces your current average by £10 or more, you must tell us within one month

it then goes on to say that if you pay the same amount each month and that amount changes you do the same calculations to decide whether it needs to be reported or not