We expect payment on receipt of invoice and accept bank transfer, cash, Tax-Free Childcare Account and voucher. Actually, we’re quite happy to accept cheques as well, but they seem to be out of favour these days!
Our bank details appear on our invoices and statements.
Tax-Free Childcare
We subscribe to this Government scheme; you’ll need to quote our name or our reference, EY536594.
This very valuable scheme was introduced in April 2017. The basic idea is that you open a savings account with the Government and for every £800 you deposit, the Government will add £200; you then pay us from your account. You can open an account as soon as your child is born and start saving straight away! You can save any amount you like and parents, friends and anyone else can contribute, but the maximum the Government will contribute is £2,000 per year. There are two detailed guides for parents on our useful information page.
If you open a Childcare Service Account you will be offered a Tax-Free Childcare Account. You don’t have to use it. If you currently receive Childcare Vouchers through your workplace you might be better off sticking with them. If you are unsure, then you ought to seek independent financial advice. You can’t, however, use Childcare Vouchers with a Tax-Free Childcare Account; you must choose one or the other.
Workplace Childcare Vouchers
We are registered with all the popular Childcare Voucher Companies. If you need a reference number please ask James, but most will just need our name.
This scheme is no longer open to new entrants. The scheme closed on 4 October 2018. You can keep getting vouchers or directly contracted childcare as long as:
- your wages were adjusted on or before 4 October 2018
- you stay with the same employer and they continue to run the scheme
- you do not take an unpaid career break of longer than a year
We are registered with all the popular Childcare Voucher Companies. If you need a reference number please ask James, but most will just need our name.
Other schemes
There’s all sorts of help with funding. MoneySavingExpert.com gives a good overview.
Help Paying for Childcare
There’s a useful guide on the Government website which discusses Universal Credit, help while you study and the whole range of help available.
Universal Credit
If you receive Universal Credit you may be able to reclaim up to 85% of your childcare costs. Unhappily you have to pay your fees first and then reclaim them, but this can be timed to minimise any cash-flow problems.
Full details on Universal Credit childcare costs can be found on the Government website.
Having difficulty paying?
If you’re finding it difficult to pay your fees please contact James immediately. As a charity it is important that we manage our funds carefully. So, if necessary, we will resort to legal action to recover any debt, but with your cooperation we can usually sort something out quite quickly and avoid any unpleasantness!
