By Jo White on Small Business – Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
Childcare costs can’t be offset against business expenses but there are a couple of options available for help.
For both the self-employed and those in employment, individuals can receive 20 per cent of the costs towards childcare from the government. To qualify you need to open an account – go to www.childcarechoices.gov.uk to find out more.
The scheme is open to those earning under £100,000 and at least £142 per week who are not receiving Tax Credits, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers. Your children must be aged 0-11 or 0-16 if they are disabled. You, family members or employers can contribute to the account and for every £8 paid in, the government tops it up by £2. This means that, over the course of a year, you could receive up to £2,000 per child. Payments over the £10,000 threshold do not receive the additional government top up.
All families in England, regardless of income, receive 15 hours of free childcare or early years education for 38 weeks each year for children aged two. Some childcare providers will allow these hours to be used over 52 weeks so speak