Childcare Costs ! Stuck !

Stuckaboutmoney

Hi there. Hope someone can help.

I currently pay a childcare provider for 4 days out of 5 for my 2 children - one full time care and the other pick ups and drop offs to school. My childcare costs are fully covered by tax credits - I have checked this with the tax credit system a million times and been assured that I'm on the right money - (part of which includes child tax as well as childcare).

I am now moving area and will be employing a new childminder - more expensive for a number of reasons - one being the care going from 4 to 5 days.

What's really really worrying me, is when I go onto the calc not only does it state I won't be covered for childcare costs - but actually it will dramatically reduce. I know the calc is an estimate etc and even when I put in my current income details it says different to what I actually get - I'm just worried about making the move and going for it when I can't get a valid answer as to whether costs will be covered !

Current earnings 25000 per annum - childcare costs currently 170 per week going up to 250 - 270 per week (unconfirmed amounts as of yet).

I'm at a loss to understand how without any increase in my wages the calculator can reduce the amount i'd receive so drastically.

I wish someone could just help and say 'this is what you'll get' - but it's all very cloak and dagger. But by this time I might have shifted my life to another county and will be pretty much screwed !!!!!

Any real advice would be greatly appreciated x

whitewing

How old is the youngest? I wonder if the younger child becomes eligible for the 15 hours a week nursery vouchers and if that is outside of the remit of tax credits? ie your tax credits may go down but you will still be no worse off overall. I don't know if nursey vouchers are just for nursery or for childminders too.

Someone with more knowledge will be along.

Stuckaboutmoney

Youngest is 2 and will start nursery in September - understand costs will reduce then! Proper brain fry!

clearingout

costs for nursery won't reduce until the term after your child turns 3.

nannytone_2

as far as i am aware, its a maximum of 70% of childcare costs that are covered. On 25k a year it would be far less.

nesco

Also is maximum for £180 for one child.
(i am not sure about the amount but i know that there is a limit)

LL30

Here you go chic, childcare is a nightmare isn't it?!

You can get help with up to 70 per cent of your childcare costs - up to certain limits.
If you pay childcare for:
one child, the maximum childcare cost you can claim is £175 a week
two or more children, the maximum cost you can claim is £300 a week
This means that the maximum help you can get for your childcare is:
£122.50 a week for one child
£210 a week for two or more children
But you won't necessarily get the full £122.50 or £210 a week - the actual amount you get will depend on your income. The lower your income, the more tax credits you can get.

Stuckaboutmoney

rotoguys wrote: »

Your first comment is that the taxpayers of this country are paying ALL of your childcare costs.

Then you are moving and want more child care provision AND moan that it will NOT be ALL paid for by the taxpayers!!!

Yet you earn £25,000 - a very good wage, out of which you are objecting to having to pay for your own children.!!!

This country is getting worse!

Out of a net wage of 1400 - I pay rent, bills, petrol and food and am left with a disposable income of around £300! I am not objecting to paying anything so please don't make incorrect inferences. I am merely saying that I'd like clear guidance which the tax credit calc and any estimates I feel do not. The country would be worse if I decided to sit on my bottom and not work - wouldn't you agree? Or are you going to go into a rant on lifestyle choices, whereabouts of father etc. My post was simple and clear - unless you have any realistic advice - take it elsewhere.

karenx

What happens with the other £683 a month from your wages? Not all that is tax and ni surly?

Stuckaboutmoney

karenx wrote: »

What happens with the other £683 a month from your wages? Not all that is tax and ni surly?

269 tax
152 NI
76 Student Loan
134 Pension

= 630

Direct from wage slip.

Stuckaboutmoney

Can I just reiterate - I had asked for valid tax credits information. I'm not here to be judged for working when I have children or scrutinised for where my deductions go. Unable to delete post which is disappointing but there you go. Such is life. Don't usually use these for this very reason.