Busybee Childcare vouchers

[Chrysanthamum]

Hi, I think I missed all the postings on this so sorry if this has been covered. I use Busybee vouchers for my 2 kids childcare and was going to cancel at the end of June as I'm a teacher so will be on hols then and will start my maternity leave at the end of August. Then I heard about entitlement to the vouchers throughout the mat leave even during the v lean SMP £415 per month period. Could I cancel the vouchers for the summer and start again when I go on mat leave do you think? I'm not trying to cheat the system but am v aware of how skint we're going to be. Advice anyone?

this is thread you need

if I've got it right then yes you could order them during your SMP only weeks and not have to pay for them. but then you need to have your childcare already in place as you need to name the registered provider.

Thanks Twinklytoes, it's all a bit hazy to me but that's probably me pregnancy head! I have a childminder that I'd like to keep so that should be ok. Can I save up some of the vouchers for when I go back to work then?

I certainly "bought" more in the months leading up to the qualifying weeks as I had to stop them so my pay was at is maximum so I didn't loose out when on mat leave. I used the extra to cover the difference in the qualifying weeks and cm was able to cash them.

Unfortunatly, I won't be claiming them during my SMP only weeks as DH works for same employer so think they might kick up a stink as to why he's not claiming when we both need to get them.

you might need to pay the cm a retainer with them uf you want places to be put on hold for 3mths though, so you may not be better off. you'd also need to buy them in smaller denominations rather than one voucher of £243 (or whatever the maximum is now)

My dh works for the same council but he will stop claiming at the end of June. I was hoping to send my toddler to cm for one day a week during mat leave which might cost about £100 a month. I then hoped to put the £135 aside for when I'm back at work. Do you think if I phone Busybees they will give me accurate information on all this or might they try to discourage me. I know lots of business are axing the scheme now as its v expensive.