If you are not already in the Childcare Vouchers Scheme, time is running out to join before it is closed to new entrants from April this year.
The University’s childcare voucher scheme (provided by Edenred) will close to new entrants from 6 April 2018, due to the roll out of the new government scheme, Tax-Free Childcare (TFC).
Any new joiners need to be in receipt of their first vouchers on or before 5th April 2018. The deadline for registering for the scheme is 13th March 2018 with the first deduction being made in the March payroll:
Childcare Vouchers can help you
save up to £933/year, per parent on your childcare costs, through tax and NI savings (savings dependent on tax rate).
Why join the Childcare Vouchers scheme now• Anyone that joins now can continue to benefit from the savings for as long as you stay with the same employer, or your child is eligible;
• Any vouchers you accumulate in your account will not expire and can be used, even if you decide to switch to TFC at a later date;
• Childcare Vouchers can be used to pay for care for children aged up to 15 (or 16 if disabled). They can be used for a wide range of childcare, including childminders, nurseries, afterschool clubs, or any childcare provider registered with the relevant body;
• If you haven’t already applied for TFC and you’re not sure which scheme is best for you, join Childcare Vouchers now to keep your options open in the future.
If you are a working parent, it is worth considering which Scheme suits best according to your personal circumstances.
The
www.gov.uk website provides a good source of information to help you make a decision including on-line calculators:
https://www.gov.uk/childcare-vouchers-better-off-calculator https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/childcare-vouchers