Childcare Hours | 5 year old

[ThisOldThang]

We qualify for free childcare hours.

I recently started claiming the hours for DS2 and noticed that DS5 was still active on the government account, which was a bit confusing because he's now at school.

I had to phone the helpline because there was a typo for DS2's middle name.

I queried why DS5's account was still active and was told the free childcare continues until 12 and lots of parents use the hours for wraparound care.

Due to a family event, we need DS2's childminder to pick up DS5 after school and look after him until 5pm. This will be two days a week for around 5 weeks.

The childminder has replied to say that as far as she's aware you can't claim/use hours for children that are at school.

Does anybody know the rules regarding childcare hours for children who are full-time at school?

Thanks.

In England You can use a tax free childcare account to pay for after-school and holiday care. Once a child starts at school, the free childcare hours are absorbed by the school.

They can still be used if a child defers school entry. I think (but am not certain) that they stop on either a child's fifth birthday, or the term after their fifth birthday when they become statutory school age.

I don't believe you can use the free hours, but you can use the 20% contribution from the government.

Both of these things are administered from the same childcare account on gov.uk, which is why the older one still appears

As others have said it's the tax free childcare account (ie the 25% gov top up) that continues not free hours. 2 separate things.

As others have said you can use the tax free account to pay for childcare for your 5 year old , the free hours stop once your child starts school

Free hours til they go to school; tax free element til the age of 12. We use ours for wraparound care and holiday clubs.

Thanks for clarifying.

I've added funds for the first time, but it was only topped-up with 25% by HMRC/Government. That equates to being a 20% Basic Rate taxpayer.

I'm a 40% taxpayer. Is there a way to claim the other 20% or is that the maximum that can be received as a top-up?

Yes it's a 25% top up for everyone, regardless of income tax band.

It isn't really 'tax free' then.

Maybe it should be referred to the Advertising Standards Authority!

Thanks for your help.

Think of it as coming from the part of your income that's taxed at 20%, not the part taxed at 40%!

But yes it is a bit of a silly name.