help with childcare costs

[queenofpuddings]

we are a low income family and I am looking to start our daughter in a local nursery 2 mornings a week. She is not 3 until next december so we don't qualify for the pre school place until then.
are we eligible for any heklp paying towards cost of childcare
any advice would be greatly appreciaited

Do you both work at least 16 hours each? If so and your wages are below the limit child tax credits may help.

Pre-school funding works from the term after they are 3, so next April is when she will qualify for the free 2.5 hour sessions.

hi happy mummy,

i don't work but my husband does though.

Unfortunately child tax credits wont help then as there is no actual need for childcare. You could fund the sessions until April if you really want her to go.

it may be worth checking with your health visitor if there is a scheme like we have here in your area. The help to pay for nursery places etc where the health visitor thinks it is needed but the family wouldnt otherwise be able to aford it.

also if u are disabled and dont work for that reason tax credits will pay child care costs

if her 3rd birthday is in december she should be eligible for the free nursery place from the following january. in the meantime your husband may be able to claim childcare vouchers from his employer if they offer them - this means some of the childcare costs come out of his salary before tax and national insurance are deducted.