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Original poster

Tax credits, holiday childcare etc

14 replies

LBA · 05/04/2008 13:46

Not really an employment issue but unsure where else to put it.

Dd is due to start primary school in September. At present I claim WTC and part of the CTC is for childcare.

When dd goes to school her grandad has already said he will look after her until I get back from work, as he does with ds.

I will need childcare for her during school holidays though.

1: How do I find holiday only childcare?
2: Will I get help with this from tax credits because I can't afford to pay for it otherwise? If so, how will this work?

OP posts:
aGalChangedHerName · 05/04/2008 13:59

I am a CM and i currently have a term time only after schooler so i am looking to have someone in school hols only to make up for lost income.

Try CM's in your area,i am sure some might do this?

Not sure about tax credits tho.

SlightlyMadSweet · 05/04/2008 14:01

You can get tax credits increased if your childcare costs increase for more than 4 weeks in a row I think.

That would cover the summer hols, but not necessarily the shorter hols.

roisin · 05/04/2008 14:05

You can get tax credits help for holiday childcare, as long as its registered.

Some private schools do summer holiday clubs which are open to allcomers.

Options get wider once they are a bit older. In our area there are various sports activities they can do for whole days/weeks in the holidays.

Contact the Children's Service at your local council for holiday playschemes in your area.

Another option is to share some childcare with a mate: when you are on holiday for a week you look after their child too, then they reciprocate.

WallOfSilence · 05/04/2008 14:06

AGCHN, don't you get a retainer for over the holidays to keep the place open? I know I have to give my c/minder a retainer to keep the place open for my dcs.

LBA, when your dd starts school call your branch of tax credits & explain the situation, they should know what to do.

SlightlyMadSweet · 05/04/2008 14:10

look at example 3 on page 11

Here they have worke out their total childcare costs for the year and divide by 52wks. Ends up being a piddling little amount though because you are effectively dividing about 10wks childcare costs over 52 weeks.

It also means that you will get teh tax credits spread throughout the year rather than all in teh hols when you need it.

The sports clubs which roisin mentioned won't be wligible for tax credits as they are not likely to be ofsted registered.

Original poster
LBA · 05/04/2008 14:14

Oh god really? This means for these weeks I will have around £30 left after bills and childcare and £10 of that is my bus fare to work. Thats if I can find childcare of course. Panic.

OP posts:
WallOfSilence · 05/04/2008 14:15

My dd went to a summer scheme at her after schools club last summer & as they are registered childcare providers I got it paid for me. It was just £7 per day though, as they are national lottery funded.

WallOfSilence · 05/04/2008 14:18

But LBA, you will get help with your c/care costs!!

Hang on until I go & get my folder... I've been dealing with them all this week re: a new c/minder & new working hours/wages for dh & I.

Back in a bit.

Original poster
LBA · 05/04/2008 14:18

Cross posted. So are you saying I can get the childcare help but it will be spread over the year? Thats ok because I can save it, but if its spread over the year im not going to have long enough to save it before I need to use it? I cant tell the IR in advance either can I? afaik they will only start paying it the day you start your childcare. Oh no, oh no.

I dont have a friend who can help out

OP posts:
WallOfSilence · 05/04/2008 14:24

You will be able to claim help once you start paying a registered or approved childcare provider.

If you are already getting help with the cost of c/care through WTC & your average weekly costs rise by £10 per week (which yours will) for 4 weeks or more (Yes, summer holidays are more than 4 weeks)

I'm not sure how it would work for the likes of the Easter hols which is just a week though... unless your dad could cope with them both for a week.

If I were you I would be tempted to look at long term c/care for both of them, though it is great for your dad to help you out, I found out to my cost that it is better to use a registered minder who has to notify you in advance of all changed etc...

Original poster
LBA · 05/04/2008 14:38

That is going to cause HUGE problems tbh.

Dd is starting primary in September and ds is starting secondary. The schools are quite a distance from each other. This would involve getting two childminders from two different areas. It is really difficult to get a childminder around here.

Grandad cant cope with them both. Ds is ok due to his age, but he really cant cope with a 4.5 year old too.

OP posts:
WallOfSilence · 05/04/2008 14:41

Is it possible to look for full time childcare for dd then? Even now once she is at school? Forget about grandad looking after her & get her an established place at a local minder?

And let ds go to grandads?

Or do you need summer childcare for both of them?

Original poster
LBA · 05/04/2008 15:06

No just dd.

OP posts:
WallOfSilence · 05/04/2008 15:18

Do you think it would be possible to get full time car for her then?

Or would your dad be offended?

Last term I just had full term care for my ds & then summer care for them both.

Thankfully this year they are both with the same c/minder so it should be easier for me. I don't know yet how much I will get paid for me, they say up to 80% but they couldn't tell me until they updates their computers

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