Childcare vouchers - work involved in setting up a scheme

[MILFintraining]

Hi,
I'm due back to work after having DS in less than 3 months. My company subscribes to the Compushare childcare voucher scheme. DH's currently doesn't. It's a small company, and so far he's the only one interested. The MD has approved it in principle, but the accountant is reluctant to move this forward, as he says he doesn't have the time to administer it.

I am going to give Compushare a ring, and try to gauge how much work is involved, but I was wondering if anyone on mumsnet has been involved in setting up this scheme, and could give me an idea of what it takes?If we can go back to DH's company and say it takes an hour, a day, a week, that might help us persuade them to sign up. Many thanks in advance

sorry cant help milf, but accountants attitude is just appauling! what does the MD say about this?

He doesn't really care - says it's up to the accountant. So annoying. It'll cost us a grand a year, and will delay #2 if we don't persuade them. I know it's not much for one person, but they will save NI, and it's a small company, where every penny counts.
He just became a dad himself, so it's extra irritating.
He was stalling before Christmas, when he was quite stressed, so I said to DH to leave it a bit, I'd do some digging and try to find out more, and then go back to him.I'm an accountant myself, I imagine there is a certain amount of work involved, but after that it should be just clicking a few buttons I imagine. DH isn't there that long, so he doesn't want to stir it too much.
DH has offered to ring compushare himself, and brave the caller queue, so he doesn't even have to do that.
Maddening.

I have implemented one before for only two e'ees. It is really easy requires prob 2 to 3 hrs to set up and then say 1 hr a month for processing payroll.

I would do the calcs and show those to the accountant - company will save 12.8% on the £243/month and it will cost them a lower % to run.

Thanks for all your replies, Lisa, I'll call or ring tomorrow,if thats ok. I really appreciate your input, especially as I know it wouldn't be overly onerous.

You might like to mention Computershare (formerly Busy Bees) on the Childminders forum if you would like any feedback on their performance.

As a small employer his company would be better off with a small voucher firm - someone on here runs one I am sure (ask in Freelancers/Self Employed) or use Google.

hello i'm a bit late on this but you don't actually have to use a firm for the vouchers if there are only one or two staff members using them thus making it a lot simpler... the firms dont' tell you that! but hmrc will, if you ring the helpline and ask them. hmrc has details on its site - can't remember the direct link, but the advisory told me exactly where to go to read about it. you can make your own vouchers OR even do a contract direct from work to childgiver for the agreed amount you want to sign over to 'vouchers' and they organise a payday payment for the amount.

Omaoma, thanks a million. I'll look into that tomorrow. My company has refused my request to reduce my hours by a minimal amount, so our childcare costs are going to rise even further.

Omaoma, still struggling a bit. I've rung HMRC who weren't able to help me, and pointed me towards my local authority. I've left a message to call me back, so hopefully they will do so.
I did try googling childcare vouchers to try and find info myself, but all the sites I've looked at seem to indicate you need an employer sign up. I've also searched the HMRC website, but found nothing useful. Is there anything else you can remember about the link in question?
Thanks again

Here is the childcare section of the HMRC web site, and there you will find the guidance for employers on how to set up a voucher scheme that omaoma was referring to. But I don't think that is going to help - although it is not a lot of work for an employer to run a scheme themselves it is always going to be easier to outsource it, and as the amount of work involved seems to be the sticking point then surely your best chance is to put them in touch with a provider and let them sell their service.

Google for childcare voucher providers. There are loads of companies that come up on the first page, and with sponsored links.

I can't recommend any one of them in particular for a small employer; I would say that my experience of computershare (formerly Busy Bees) is bad but they focus on big employers anyway.

Local authorities don't have anything to do with childcare vouchers (apart from any they may provide as an employer to their own staff of course).

Finally it is of course up to your employer whether to provide vouchers (and unfortunately recent decisions in the European court have put the whole system in danger - this is a much bigger risk than Gordon Brown's half-baked random policy changes) so all you can do is try to persuade them.

Thanks a million Mr Anchovy, I really appreciate your input. I wasn't aware the EU was creating issues with these.
We're leaving it for a few weeks, but I'll do the research and get DH to reapproach them armed with information.

Hi there I am not sure if you are still looking, but if you are I will be more than happy to assist, I work as a self employed sales consultant for a childcare voucher company. Many thanks