Childcare and Early Education Costs

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There are various forms of financial help available to help parents meet their childcare and early education costs.

Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit

In April 2003, the Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit replaced existing tax credits to improve the way the Government supports families with children and working people on low incomes. The changes mean that more people will be getting more financial help. It can make a big financial difference to families on middle and low incomes and there is an additional element for children with a disability.

Early Education Funding

All children are entitled to a funded part time early education place of 12.5 hours, taken in 2.5 hour sessions, from the term following their 3rd birthday.  This is now also available in 15 hours. Please contact your childcare setting for information about extending your hours.

• If your child has their third birthday between 1 September and 31 December, they are eligible for funding in the spring term (January).
• If your child has their third birthday between 1 January and 31 March, they are entitled to funding from the summer term (April)
• If your child has their third birthday between 1 April and 31 August, they are entitled to funding from the autumn term (September).

Early education is provided in a variety of childcare settings, independent or private nursery class or school, day nursery, pre-school or playgroup.

To claim this funding the nursery or group has to be included on the "Directory of Providers" as agreed by the Royal Borough of Kingston Local Authority. This means that the group has been approved to provide early education according to Early Learning Goals developed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.(DCSF).

2 Ten Project

From September 2009 - July 2010 the Local Authority have been allocated 50 places for two year olds offering up to 10 hours a week of early learning and care in fourteen childcare settings across the borough.

As with the Early Education funding, funding begins the term after the childs 2nd birthday.

There is a referral pathway in place and criteria to be met, for further details regarding this pilot scheme, please contact

Maxine Baum Childcare Access Officer on 020 8547 6581

or email maxine.baum@rbk.kingston.gov.uk

Childcare Vouchers

Childcare Vouchers are one of the ways in which employers can assist their employees with the costs of childcare.  The first £50 of childcare vouchers are exempt from National Insurance Contributions (NIC) for employees and employers so they can help you save money on your childcare costs.  This amounts to a possible £243 per month, per parent. Click on the link below for further information.

Individual Reductions

Some Groups may offer support by a small reduction in fees for:-

• A family who are paying for two or more children to attend their group.
• For children of a lone parent
• Where there is an exceptional social need

If you are experiencing financial difficulties it is worth asking, some groups though are not in a financial position to be able to offer reductions.

New Deal for Lone Parents

If you are a single parent family, always speak to the lone parent advisors if you are thinking about going back to work or before signing up for a course.

Lone Parent Advisors are based at Jobcentre Plus, 3 Brook Street, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey.  Clients are seen by appointment only.

Peter Elston and his colleagues: 020 8481 3000 or email peter.elston@jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Help for Students

If you are a parent who wants to study or train, you may be able to get help paying for childcare while you study.

The Government has increased funds to contribute to the childcare costs of more students and trainees and is considering other ways to make sure parents are able to study or train.

Ask your student welfare advisor to tell you what your childcare options are and what your college or university does to help students who are parents.

Finding out about childcare provided by your college or university.

Some colleges and universities provide childcare schemes aimed at students.

These schemes could include:

Nurseries, Crèches, Out of school schemes, Holiday playschemes, Childminding Networks