Child Tax C

[Mamumu]

Sorry if this doesn't go here..

DD (2 going on 3) might start attending a nursery soon. I don't work at the moment, but her dad does. Would it be possible for him to claim Nursery Education Funds (NFE)? I've heard they can cover up to 80% of nursery costs. She lives with me though, not we her dad.

Oh sorry, the name of the thread is wrong, I was going to write child tax credit but ment Nursery Education Funding.

The term after she is three she'll be entitled to 15 hours free a week at nursery/playgroup/preschool during term time. This is different to child tax credits though.

If her dad wants to claim the childcare element of working tax credit then I think he'd have to be the one claiming child benefit for her.

Early Years education funding is available from the term after your child's third birthday.

It can be accessed at pre-school, day nurseries and some childminders.

It is in the form of 15 hours free education but the Local council can put provisos on how it is taken (eg 12.5 over 2 days, at least 2.5 hrs a session etc)

The 80% of childcare costs is part of tax credits & would only be available if you worked

That's great, because she turns 3 just in september!

KatyMac, couldn't her dad claim it for her? He's working full time, while I am a freelancer and haven't done much for the past three years (guess why! ;) Or what if I became self-employed, would I be entitled to it all the same?

She won't be entitled to Early Years funding until January though. Don't think a non resident parent can claim working tax credits

Her dad can't claim childcare for her unless he's the one claiming child benefit and child tax credits for her. The Early Years Funding is the same regardless of whether or not you work.

Well he can if she lives with him

& you can if you are working 16 hrs but if you get 15 hrs free will you need to?

No, she lives with me... 16 hours doesn't sound bad at all, especially to go back to work progressively... Do you know where can I get more info?

direct.gov.uk