Childcare Vouchers for Second Child

[Redstar2015]

I keep looking for the answer but so far haven’t seen if you can use childcare vouchers for a second child if already in the scheme. I am currently planning to save vouchers to use for childcare upon returning from maternity leave (have checked and I can continue to claim on leave and employer tops up salary so SMP is not affected). However, my account clearly lists my first child’s name so will that actually work to pay nursery for new baby? I only have one voucher saved now so not too late to change the plan.

You should still be able to use them. If you can't change the name/add your new child's name tell the childcare provider the name the voucher will come through as and make sure they are ok with that (shouldn't be a problem as they are still getting the fees paid)

I thought you could only continue with childcare vouchers for accounts you had already set up, and you couldn't set up new accounts? Any new accounts should be through the tax free childcare scheme?

Yes as Childcare Vouchers is an employer provided scheme.

www.employersforchildcare.org/parents/vouchers-information/childcare-vouchers-closing-faqs/

Contact your particular voucher processor for how to use the voucher for another child.

Yep, I did. Just was curious to hear from others as sometimes I get mixed information even straight from employees who work for the voucher company. They did confirm it's no problem to use vouchers for another child, and that I can even contact them to add my new child's name on once they are born. As vouchers are issued online it is not a problem as you select at the payment point the carer and child's name. Hope that helps someone else, though I guess there are different companies that issue childcare vouchers so always worth double checking.

@confusedlots , you can't change the amount of salary sacrifice or join the scheme if not already in it. But apparently you can add a child's name on your online account, at least the company that issues childcare vouchers for my employer explained it in this way. You can only add the child on once born, of course. But they did say any vouchers saved could still be used as you don't actually indicate the child's name until you go to pay a carer (option on my online account to select carer and child's name).

@confusedlots , I mean, you can't claim more than the max £243. You can of course request less or pause vouchers temporarily.