TAX CREDITS - CHILDCARE ?

[laughinglil]

I was just told by one of the mums at dt's preschool that she claims the childcare back on the tax credits? It costs me £40 a week to send dt's to preschool two days a week. I just thought that the childcare element was for child minding and things like that? Should I have been claiming the childcare since January when dt's started pre school?
They will be government funded by september so I don't really understand if or what I should claim for. Any help would be much appreciated as I never even considered mentioning it.

Sorry cant help but am interested to see if this is possible for when my wee one starts preschool after the summer.

bump to help us pls lol!

Hello! I work part time and claim 70% of my childcare costs as part of my working tax credits. I have little idea as to how tax credits work, the system is far too complicated! As I understand it, you have to be receiving working tax credits as well as child tax credits, and be using a registered childcare provider. However, I may be wrong!

www.bbc.co.uk/parenting/childcare/paying_workingparents.shtml

Just found this, Dont know how to link so I copy and pasted it. It looks like you might be eligible. Ive found some other pages that say the same, Im off to phone my pal who works for tax credits to see if theyve got any idea.

Oh, I meant to say registered nurseries DO count as eligible childcare providers!

As long as childcare is registered by ofsted/ care commission your eligible so this covers playgroups too. Looks like Ill get some of wee ones playgroup fees paid after the summer.

ok so i should phone them and tell that the dt's have been at nursery since january.. do u think they will give me some of that back then? woo hoo! they are registered with ofsted.. just going to phone them..

it depends on your income if you'll get any help you also have to be working at least 16 hours a week. (or both you and you partner must be working at least 16 hours each if you have a joint claim)

I called tax credit people about this last night as ds is starting next week and will cost £60 a week but they told me we won't get anything as only dp is working - I would have to be working at lest 16 hours as well.