Childcare for older child whilst on maternity leave

Sam____2

Hoping someone can answer this for my friend, she asked me but as I don't get tax credits didn't really know the answer.

She is a single parent who's self employed, has a 2 and a half year old and is expecting her second child.
What she would like to know is, when she's on maternity leave will she continue to get the childcare element of her tax credits for her older child? he's in a really good nursery and in a routine, she was just hoping he would be able to stay there and not have to take him out whilst she's on maternity as he might not get back in (long waiting list) does anyone know what the general rule is regarding this?

Please no comments about the father paying etc, he sadly passed away recently and this is another reason she wants to keep things as normal as possible for her boy.

Your advice is greatly appreciated

skibadee

I'm not really sure about the rules on this, I know ordinarily you have to be working 16hrs a week or more to be able to claim the child care element.
Is there a family centre near by, as I know that children of this age can attend a certain number of nursery sessions for free on what is known as ..A pilot scheme for 2yr olds in special circumstances...I'm sorry I don't know how you access the scheme other than asking at a family centre.
I'm sorry for your friends loss.

Sam____2

thanks skibadee, in this area they dont get free nursery until the intake after the childs 3rd birthday, which wont be until August next year

skibadee

The new 'Pilot Scheme for 2yr olds ' has only just been introduced in last 12mths,....I did try to send you a link but didn't work.
Google ....free nursery places for 2yrs olds.. you will find somewhere a list of criteria which has to be meet to be entitled to this...but I am 99% sure your friend qualifies.
( I work in a childrens day nursery)

Sam____2

National criteria

The family must get one or more of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• Income based Job Seekers Allowance
• Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element (more than £545 a year)
• Extra Working Tax Credit relating to a disability
• Pension Credit

Local criteria

The family must also meet one or more of the following:

• parent with health issues or disabilities
• family have experienced domestic abuse
• children with speech and language needs, including English as an additional language
• children with a Child Protection Plan
• children involved with Social Services
• children with disabilities
• children with significant developmental delays.

although they would meet the first criteria they would fail on the second as none of these apply

skibadee

It would still be worth talking to a health visitor or family centre as yr friend is in exceptional circumstances.

flea72

the fact she currently is entitled to help with her childcare, means she will also be entitled to it whilst on OML. however if she takes AML then she wont be entitled

F

Sam____2

flea72 wrote: »

the fact she currently is entitled to help with her childcare, means she will also be entitled to it whilst on OML. however if she takes AML then she wont be entitled

F

Thanks for this, all I could find on the matter was a bit that said she would still get WTC for 39 weeks but it didn't mention wether or not that included the childcare part, I'm sure she'll be very relieved

Ta

Indie_Kid

You're on maternity, paternity or adoption leave
You can claim tax credits to help with childcare costs if immediately before you went on leave you were working 16 hours or more and any of the following apply:
- you get maternity allowance
- you're on ordinary maternity or adoption leave
- you're in the first 13 weeks of additional maternity or adoption leave

from - http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/start/who-qualifies/children/childcare-costs.htm