Childcare Costs

[Nov2023]

Good morning.
I am trying to make plans for childcare costs and decide when and if I will return to work full time. Would a family of two teachers with a baby in nursery qualify for any childcare support? The free 15 hours has been extended to my child's age (9 months for winter term) but I can't find anywhere locally accepting them. This is a first baby so I am clueless. Can I pay into a government account which will top up some of the costs? Or is there a better way? Any advice would be more than welcome please!

https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

This website explains all options but yes I'd imagine as long as salary fall into the range you are entitled to 15 hours now and later 30 hours plus tax free childcare account so you pay 80% of the bill and govt top up 20%. There are long waiting lists for places. You should be able to contact your Local authority family information service and ask for most recent list of settings that have places.

Yes as above you will get tax free childcare and you pay into an account and they top up. But be aware if your baby is in full time care you might not only need to pay in 80%, as it's a 20% top up to maximum of £500 every three months.

Thank you both! I'll check out the website. The system seems confusing to start with! We have just moved to a new area so I may not be able to find both a job and a nursery for September in any case but I can't see us affording to live on one teacher's wage if I stay at home.