Tax free childcare account - paying in advance?

[AnotherOriginalUsername]

My baby is 6 weeks old and has been booked to start nursery on 1st September as our chosen nursery was rapidly running out of slaves.

It looks to me as though we will qualify for the tax free childcare payment scheme.

My husband works full time, I have always worked full time, currently on maternity leave and will be going back at 20-30 hours a week depending on need/availability nearer the time.

It's very early, but can I open the necessarily care account now, and start paying in to it? We aren't high earners, we don't have huge amounts of savings and I'm on SMP so we're feeling the pinch. We will also be being invoiced for childcare a month in advance, so will need to pay out for it before I'm earning above SMP again. A steady deposit of £50 a month now will be much easier than finding £300 up front in 6 months time...

Running out of spaces, not slaves!

Freudian slip!

Whilst admittedly probably not that well paid, the staff looked very happy and plentiful!

I have a vague recollection of the application process asking if either person is on maternity/parental leave which makes me think you may not be eligible to start paying in until mat leave ends.

I have a vague recollection of the application process asking if either person is on maternity/parental leave which makes me think you may not be eligible to start paying in until mat leave ends.

Well that's stupid if it is the case, as I go back to work the same day he will start nursery

Curve ball - we live in a universal credit area (apparently). How do I find out whether we'd be eligible for the childcare element of UC (which may be more than the 20% tax free contribution).

Argh why is it all so confusing? I've always just gone to work and been paid accordingly, I don't understand all this government nonsense!

You can apply when you are 14 days away from going back to work i believe. Pretty sure it says so on the childcare choices website