tax credits and nursery

[firststeps]

My lo is due to start pre school in January 2008, however I am currently pregnant with no.2 and was thinking about enrolling him in a private nursery a couple of mornings a week between now and him starting pre school. Do I have to fund the whole cost of this or do you get any funding from the government. We currently get tax credits but it's less than £10 per week. If anyone can offer any advice I would be grateful

I am not 100% certain about this but.. you will only be entitled to working tax credits if your lo is in nursery while you are at work. If he/she is 3, I think you can get some kind of voucher where the government will pay for 5 x 2.5hour sessions per week toward nursery fees.

Other mnetters, please correct me if I have got this all wrong!?

so if i put him in nursery when I go back to work 3days a week this might be covered? Would I just ring the tax credits helpline to find out?

This is the number for the child tax credits office - 0845 300 3900 - give them a ring and try and find out as much info as possible. The amount you receive depends on your total / joint earnings, etc.

Let me know how you get on - as I'm not sure I have given you correct info!

Good luck

Only 5 2 1/2 hour sessions, during termtime, are covered by the LEA scheme from the term after the child turns 3. Child tax credits are different and may well assume you get the LEA bit first in their calculations.

If your tax credits are only £10 a week you wont get help. We get £20 (still get baby element) and we get no help at all with our costs. It is so unfair as our income isn't exactly making us well off, most of my wage goes to childcare. I'd probably be better off not working!