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.
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 70% 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'
I'm not employed
but I want to return 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.