How to use childcare vouchers (that isn't just childcare)?

[GenedlGymreig]

I have accidentally built up quite a reserve of childcare vouchers, having not thought about the fact that I was still getting them after our children started school. DC are not 9 and 6.

What can I spend the vouchers on? None of the after school clubs like Kung Fu, basketball etc. take them at our primary school. The after school care does but my children don't go to that. It seems you can't use them for music lessons. None of our usual babysitters accept them. I phoned up Thompson Sports Academy to see if they would accept them for a Summer camp and they said no.

Any ideas would be hugely appreciated.

Have a look.at holiday activity clubs locally. I use mine on a local one. They have to be Ofsted registered. Some of the sports/ swimming centres have them.

The look at isn't a link, just typing on my phone.

You can get the money back if you ask your employer. They will just deduct tax and NI first.

Supercamps definitely take them if you have one near you.

If you're looking at tutoring for secondary entrance exams, some tutors will accept them if they are ofsted registered.

Pgl camps will take them, as well as local holiday camps, you just need to check if they are Ofsted registered.

M5tothesouthwest I did ask my employer and they said no. Unless it's a legal requirement and I can force them, it looks like I have to spend the vouchers.

MaryWortleyMontagu That's a very interesting option! I am in Bristol if anyone knows any good tutors who take childcare vouchers.

Seconding Supercamps and PGL. Some leisure centre schemes take them too.

I got into a similar situation but DC are getting some fabulous weeks of adventure with the holiday activity being run out of a nearby private school, and also learning coding at a firetech camp

Imchlibob firetech looks very interesting thank you!

Most childminders would accept them, who looks after the children in the school holidays?

Nicadooby Sadly the people we pay to look after our children don't take vouchers. They say it's too much of a pain to register.

I’m registered with 3 voucher company’s it’s really easy they probably just don’t want to accept them as it can take a couple of days for it to show up in my bank account once the parents have released it.

Can you find out how they need to register from the voucher company and give them the information. Are they OFSTED registered?

In Bristol - camp mojo and mad science both take the vouchers.

It’s bit a pain at all to register- unless you mean the ofsted registration?

I might be the ofsted registering part they want to avoid. I don't think they are ofsted registered (but I will check).

BrieAndChilli Thank you! We did try mad science as an after school club but it was a disaster. The people taking it had no idea how to keep control and DD told me it was just an hour of children shouting. However people have told me that the holiday club version may be better.

www.mojoactive.co.uk/kids/holiday-club

Thank you BrieandChill that does look great.

It really is very easy to register with childcare voucher companies and I don't find there are any delays in payments, only if parents are late in requesting payments to be made.

Our local Little Gym takes them and does some fantastic holiday camps - the website claims one is opening in Bristol soon?

PrincessScarlett Is maybe the problem that they have to register with ofsted first? Is that a pain?

Thanks Ktay!

You need to talk to the company you buy your childcare vouchers from to get your money back not your employer.

You should get a refund minus tax.

Failing that supercamps and lots of summer clubs take them.

ittooshallpass I asked my employer and they said there are no possible refunds. Do you think I might be able to get a refund directly from edenred instead?

I just checked the Edenred FAQ where it says:

"Can I get a refund for unused Childcare Vouchers?
Whether you can receive a salary alternative to vouchers you have accrued will depend on the conditions of the scheme determined by your employer in the agreement you signed up to. Please consult those conditions and discuss them with your employer if necessary. It is quite common that employers’ schemes do not allow for this."

:(