Childcare Element of Working Tax Credit - paying for child's lunch at nursery?

Snappy_2

Hi, I receive the Childcare Element of Working Tax Credit for my youngest who is at nursery. Now, I also pay around £7 per week to the nursery for his lunch, and I was wondering if this cost can be included in the claim for the Childcare Element or does the claim relate only to the actual costs of childcare?

thanks.
S

Snappy_2

anyone know?

Brodiebobs

usually the cost of food is included in the price the nursery charge you per day, so i would assume so, although im no expert in tax credits!!!

a_confused_mum

you would need to check your local council website under the schools.

I checked ours and we earn about £150 more than the threshold to claim the schoo lunch benefit.

Brodiebobs

a_confused_mum wrote: »

you would need to check your local council website under the schools.

I checked ours and we earn about £150 more than the threshold to claim the schoo lunch benefit.

its not school tho, the op says nursery lunch, so i presume the child is under 4?

kingfisherblue

I'm not sure, but it's possible that it depends on the nursery. I know one nursery (operates morning and afternoon sessions) which charges 50p a week snack money, separately from the childcare fees - which are also low as it is a community nursery. It isn't linked to a school.

A nursery linked to the school, though, charges £7.50 for a child to stay between morning and afternoon sessions (about an hour and a half) and this includes lunch, which is the same as the pupils in the school get. The pupils pay £1.35 a day for lunch, so effectively the nursery are charging £6.15 for an hour and a half care. Only ever having used the community nursery, I think this sounds expensive.

Do you have a copy of the contract or parents booklet from the nursery? This should set everything out in writing. If it doesn't state a separate amount for the lunches, I would query it.

mitchaa

I doubt it to be honest as if they cross referred it against their system the 2 wouldn't match.

It seems strange that it's not included in the daily cost?

karenx

If its seperate then I dont think you can claim it. If it is included in the fees then its already covered by the childcare element

flea72

if you didnt pay the £7 is your child still able to stay, during the lunch break?

if no, then you can claim for it.

F