InWork Childcare rights when i go on maternity leave

[Jo963]

Hi all, i'm new here so please don't go to hard on me if i'm doing something wrong or a repeat or anything!

i'm looking for some advice re creche for my child whilst i'm on maternity leave,

the situation is as follows, my 1 and a half year old is in a workplace creche that is included as a work benefit but not through a voucher scheme, i am due to be leaving on maternity leave soon for my 2nd!

i am going to be getting maternity allowance not smp due to earning just below the minimum for smp.

my question is what are my legal rights for the creche for my child, i would very much like for her to carry on there as she loves it and knows everyone and i feel it is very important for her to get out the house a couple hours every day. the payroll are saying that we will have to pay to send her when am on maternity leave. is this right? or am i entitled to all my regular work benefits whilst on maternity leave including the creche?

thanks in advance!
Jo

[LostMyBroomstick]

As far as I am aware (although I wasn't when I had my 2 children 13 and 9 years ago!) is that, if you are paying into a childcare voucher scheme then your employer has to pay them for you when you are off on maternity leave so that your child doesn't have to leave nursery.

You may have to set up a salary sacrifice into such a scheme ASAP but I'd ring one of the childcare voucher providers for advice.

[2014newme]

Childcare vouchers are salary sacrifice so are paid instead of salary. They don't have to give you a free nursery place! You pay for the nursery place or leave surely.

[2014newme]

Ah sorry just saw you don't pay with vouchers you just get given free nursery hours, sounds like a great perk which yes should continue while on mat leave if it is genuinely free hours, check your contract

[LostMyBroomstick]

webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140721212850/http:/www.hmrc.gov.uk/employers/sml-salary-sacrifice.pdf

[Jo963]

thanks all for taking the time to respond,

from that hmrc guide posted above than it appears that its a non cash job benefit and should continue as usual.

wish me luck!
Jo

[disahsterdahling]

Yes that was my first though - benefits continue as usual during maternity leave, the only one that doesn't is pay.