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How Can I Save Money On My Fees?

Many parents aren't aware of how they can save money on childcare costs. As well as paying by company childcare vouchers or government tax-free vouchers, there are several ways you can save money on fees:. See https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ for further information as well as the details below:

 

 

Level of Support

Recipient Group

Date Available

For Further Information

Childcare Element of

Working Tax Credit

70% of childcare costs up to a maximum of £175 per week for 1 child or £300 per week for 2 or more children. Families receiving housing or council tax benefit get extra help, amounting to about 96% of costs in England.

Nearly 400,000 low income working families.

Present

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Universal Credit

85% of childcare costs, with same maximum levels as Working Tax Credit, although no extra help for those receiving housing benefit.

Low income working parents

Present

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Childcare Vouchers

Worth up to £55 per week for basic rate tax-payers.

Working parents, but not self-employed and usually excludes those receiving tax credits.

Presently available, but did not accept new applicants after April 2018.

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Tax Free Childcare

20% of childcare costs up to a maximum of £2,000 per year. Families of children with SEND receive help up to a maximum of £4,000 per year.

Working parents not in receipt of tax credits/Universal Credit whose gross household income is higher than a specified minimum threshold but less than £100,000 per parent.

Presently available

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Care to Learn

£175 in London and £160 per week outside

Parents under 20 at school or in further education

Presently available

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Discretionary Learner Support

Discretionary

Parents over 20 in further education

Presently available

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Childcare Grant

£155.24 a week for 1 child. Up to £266.15 a week for 2 or more children

Parents in full-time higher education who are eligible for student finance

Presently available

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Childcare Vouchers

The government tax-free childcare scheme replaced the Childcare Vouchers used by parents. This is for new registrants only and parents who are already in a voucher scheme can continue to use their existing scheme to pay OOSC.

If you are already registered through your company childcare voucher scheme you can save up to 40% on your fees; making your fees tax-free. Payment is made directly to your voucher account from your wages, then transferred automatically to OOSC.

To find out more about the childcare vouchers accepted by OOSC click here