To still not understand the rules on 30hrs funding and childcare vouchers...

[Changerazelea]

Just had to reconfirm we are still eligible for 30hrs funded childcare for preschool DS.
We also receive childcare vouchers through work.
Have now read elsewhere while reviewing if we would be better off on tax free childcare scheme that the voucher scheme cannot be used in conjunction with the 30hr funded scheme.
AIBU to find these schemes impossible to understand?

Apparently there was a bit of an HMRC website issue causing confusion. You can use either vouchers or the tax free scheme at the same time as the 30 hrs. You can't use the vouchers and the tax free scheme at the same time. No, you're not being unreasonable, the communication and application of all these things is a mess! And let's not get started on whether the 30 hours actually covers 30 hours of cost with your childcare provider, or not...

Thanks fresco glad I am not the only one.... Thanks for your advice I thought it was the way you described but panicked slightly when I read there are fines of 3k for abuse of the scheme, how can you abuse something where rules are so unclear ?! No wonder the uptake has been so bad.

See, I was told you can't collect vouchers or use the tax free scheme at the same time as getting 30hours. So I cancelled my vouchers, however I then found out that's not true but can't get back on the voucher scheme now. Grrr!

www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-2-to-4-year-olds Here's the bit on HMRC website, if you scroll to about half-way it says this:

'You can get 30 hours free childcare at the same time as claiming Universal Credit, tax credits or childcare vouchers.'

It is just rubbish how bad the roll-out of these things is - so sorry to hear you were messed around with the vouchers toomuch

You can definitely use vouchers at the same time as the 30 hours funding... if you can get it! My nursery informed me that because my son only does 2 days a week he's not eligible for the 30 hours funding and I would need to book him in for 2.5 days to get it. Worked it out and it would cost £2 more per week to do that so sticking with the the 2 days. I'm assuming this is the nursery policy as they spread it over 52 weeks of the year. Its all as clear as mud.

There's a fault in the website that means if you say that you do get vouchers it won't let you apply for 30 hours. Instead you need to say no, so you can get to the next screen. Then select the option to update/correct your details and change it back. That's the only way I found to get my 30 hours application through.