Childcare vouchers for 20 days' worth of childcare, two schemes

[juniper44]

I'm going back to work in June for 8 weeks, but my DP and mum are covering 2 of the 5 days a week so, in total, our DD will be with a childminder for 20 days.

My DP is part of the Sodexopass (?) scheme, and I'm part of the Parentshare scheme. We're both public sector (teacher and doctor) so no choice over schemes, I assume. Neither one of us has ever discussed the scheme with our superiors so it's all new to us.

My childminder mentioned that it might not be worth using childcare vouchers for such a short time as it will affect our pension contributions etc

So my main questions are:

1. Is it financially viable to use vouchers for only 20 days?
   
   
2. How do I get onto the scheme? Do I ring the HR department of the council, or can the childminder just tick a box somewhere?
   
   
3. Is it a physical voucher or an electronic one?
   
   
4. Can we use two different schemes at once? Do we have to just choose one?
   
   
5. Do I really have to go back to work?! (insert sad face)

[imnottoofussed]

You would join as the employee via your employer. Probably HR dept can point you in the right direction.

Not sure re pension. By claiming the voucher you will save tax and ni contributions on the amount if voucher you claim.

There is a limit on how much you can claim, it depends on your tax rate.

Method of voucher varies but can generally be one if 3 methods.

1. Voucher emailed to you, you give it to cater and they redeem it

1. Voucher paid to cater automatically

1. Voucher put into an online account which you can log into to send payment to your carer

Sorry forgot if you had any other q's on phone so can't see original message

[imnottoofussed]

Yes you can use two voucher schemes it's a per parent tax scheme so both can claim from different companies.

Just check that your carer is ofsted or otherwise registered as vouchers can only be used for registered care.

[imnottoofussed]

Sorry lots of typos