What
does childcare cost?
Expect good quality full time childcare to cost from
around £100 per week. But the cost can vary from as little as £50
to over £150. Phone the Suffolk Families Information Service
to get more accurate costs for the type of childcare that you
prefer.
These calculators can give you an idea of
the help you may be able to get with the cost of
childcare:
Other useful calculators for family budgeting can be
found on the FSA
Parents Guide to Money web
site.
Can I get any help with the cost of
childcare?
It depends on
individual circumstances so it is worth finding out if you can get
financial support for childcare.
Can working
families get help?
Yes you can
apply for two tax credits, Child Tax Credit and Working Tax
Credit.
Child Tax Credit helps you get money for your
children and is based on your income. You can claim whether or not
you are in work. It replaced the existing tax credits and benefits
for all families with children and an income of up to £58,000 a
year.
Working Tax Credit supports working households on
low incomes by topping up earnings. If you are working at least 16
hours a week, as part of this credit, you may get extra help with
the costs of registered childcare. Find out about the childcare
element of Working Tax Credit because it can pay for up to 80% of
your childcare costs.
To qualify for tax credits you must be aged 16 or
over and usually live in the United Kingdom. Find out more by
clicking on the logo below:
These leaflets have more information about
tax
credits:
'Help with the costs of childcare'
'Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit:
Leaflet' (April 2011)
I'm not employed but I want to return to
work?
If you are not in work but want to find a job then
New Deal might be able to help
you. New
Deal can also help you
with childcare, too.
Can I get help if
I'm a student?
The Care to Learn? scheme can help
teenage parents pay for childcare so they can
continue studying. Phone
the
Care to
Learn? free helpline for
details 0845 600 2809.
If you are a student - or you are planning to study - three of the
four Suffolk's Further Education colleges and some other training
providers - have on-site daycare nurseries. They also have funds to
help some students with the cost of childcare.
There is a childcare allowance for
NHS-funded students (for example trainee nurses,
midwives and physiotherapists) to help with childcare costs during
their studies. Childcare costs are for any child under 15 (or under
17 if the child has special needs). To find out if you can get this
help phone 0845 009 2559.
Can my employer
help?
Some employers provide help with the cost of
childcare places and a few provide on site childcare.
Encourage your employer to be 'family friendly' in working
hours and even help funding childcare. One employer in ten already
does. This investment helps make you a more reliable, more
productive employee.
You can find out more about these benefits on our
Parent Direct web
pages.