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There are a number of ways that the goverment can help you and your family with chidcare costs.  Whether you have toddlers or teens, you could get support.  Information about some of the schemes are below:TAX FREE CHILDCARE<ul><li>for working families in the UK, including self-employed</li><li>with children under 12 (or under 17 if disabled)</li><li>for every £8 you pay in, the government will add an extre £2, up to £2,000 per child per year, or £4,000 if your child has a disability. </li></ul>You can use Tax Free Childcare at the same time as 15 hours funded childcare and 30 hours funded childcare.You can't use it with Universal Credit, Tax Credits or Childcare Vouchers (Childcare voucher schemes are closed to new entrants)TAX CREDITS<ul><li>for working families in the UK</li><li>with children under 16 (or under 17 if disabled)</li><li>claim back up to 70% of childcare costs, up to a cap</li></ul>You can't claim Tax Credits at the same time as Universal Credit or Tax-Free ChildcareUNIVERSAL CREDIT<ul><li>for working families claiming Universal Credit</li><li>with children under 16</li><li>claim back up to 85% of eligible childcare costs, up to a maximum of £1014.63 per month for one child, and £1,739.37 per month for two or more children</li></ul>The childcare element of Universal Credit can but used alongside the 15 or 30 hours childcare offers.  You can't claim Universal Credit at the same time as Tax Credits and Tax-Free Childcare15 HOURS CHILDCARE - 2 YEAR OLDS FOR FAMILIES IN RECEIPT OF ADDITIONAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT<ul><li>for families in England receiving some forms of support (eligibility criteria applies)</li><li>with 2 year old children - can start the term after your child's 2nd birthday</li><li>15 hours of funded childcare or early education for 38 weeks</li><li>a total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider</li></ul>15 HOURS CHILDCARE - 3 &amp; 4 YEAR OLDS<ul><li>for all families in England</li><li>with 3 and 4 year old children</li><li>15 hours of childcare or early education for 38 weeks</li><li>a total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider</li></ul>WORKING PARENTS ENTITLEMENT <ul><li>for working families in England (eligibility criteria applies)</li><li>15 hours of childcare or early education for 38 weeks for 2 year olds </li><li>30 hours of childcare or early education for 38 weeks for 3 and 4 year old children - NOT for children in Reception</li><li>a total of 1,140 hours per year for eligible 3 and 4 year olds, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider</li></ul>Note: for the 15 and 30 hour childcare schemes, some providers will allow you to 'stretch' the hours over more weeks, using fewer hours per week.  Check with the provider of your choice to see what they are able to offer.

Help paying for Childcare

For more detailed information about all of these schemes and to check to see if you are eligible or to get an estimate of how much help you can get

Adult reading a picture book with toddler

All children aged 3 - 4 years are currently entitled to 15 hours per week funded childcare over 38 weeks, or less hours per week over more weeks up to a maximum of 570 hours per year. This is known as the Universal entitlement.What is the 30 hours offer?The new 30 hours of funded childcare is known as the extended entitlement.  It is an additional 570 hours per year for 3 and 4 year olds of working parents.  This means that eligible children can access up to 1140 hours of government funded childcare per year.Who is eligible?To qualify, each parent (or the sole parent in a single parent family) needs to:<ul><li>earn, on average, a weekly minimum equivalent of 16 hours at National Minimum wage or National Living Wage;</li><li>earn less than £100,000 per year</li></ul>Self-employed parents or parents on zero hours contracts will be eligible if they meet the average earnings criteria. Eligibility in families where parents do not workFamilies where one parent is not in paid employment, or neither parent works, will ususally not be eligible for the additional hours.  There are however the extended entitlement will be available for families where:<ul><li>Both parents are employed but one (or both) is temporarily away from<ul><li>parental leave</li><li>maternity leave</li><li>adoption leave</li><li>sick leave</li></ul></li><li>One parent works and one parent is in receipt of benefits relating to significant caring responsibilities</li><li>One parent works and one parent is in receipt of specific benefits relating to disability or incapacity</li></ul>Foster carers are eligible for the extended entitlement if they meet the earning or carer criteria for their own children.Foster carers may be able to claim 30 hours for the children that they foster if both foster parents work outside of their fostering role.  There is no minimum earning criteria for this  For more information see the attached information "30 Hours Childcare for Foster Children".Parents who are studying or in training will not be eligible unless this is combined with paid work which meets the minimum average earnings threshold.When to apply?The date you can apply depends on your child's birthday. Your child is eligible:<ul><li>from the term following their 3rd birthday until they reach compulsory school age</li><li>as long as they are not in a Reception class</li></ul>Applications for each term will need to be made by the relevant deadline dates:Spring Term - 31st DecemberSummer Term - 31st MarchAutumn Term - 31st AugustPlease note: Summer Term start dates can sometimes fluctuate depending on when Easter falls however the deadline dates or applications does not change.

30 Hours Childcare

For more detailed information about this scheme and to check to see if you are eligible.

Toddlers building blocks on a table with 2 adults

Tax Free Childcare is a Government initiative for working families, including the self-employed, who have children under 12 (or under 17 if disabled). You can get up to £500 every three months, up to a maximum of £2,000 a year per child.  If you child has a disability, you can get up to £1,000 every three months up to a maximum of £4,000 a year per child.If you are eligible you will create a childcare account and for every £8 you pay in, the government will add an extra £2.You can use your childcare account to pay for children provided by: <ul><li>childminders</li><li>nurseries</li><li>nannies</li><li>before and after school clubs</li><li>holiday clubs </li></ul>The childcare provider you use must be registered with Ofsted and signed up to the Tax Free Childcare scheme.

Tax Free Childcare

What is it?Two, three and four year old children attending a funded place at an early years education setting such as a nursery school, nursery class, private nursery or childminder may be eligible to receive Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP). Children must receive free Early Years Education to attract EYPP funding. Children do not need to access their full Early Years Education entitlement to be eligible as providers will be paid on a pro-rata basis.How much is the funding?It is an additional £359 per year (63p per hour) for each child for the setting to spend on supporting their development, learning and care.Who is Eligible?If parents receive one of the following benefits<ul><li>Income Support </li><li>Income based Jobseekers Allowance </li><li>Universal Credit - your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get) </li><li>Income related Employment and Support Allowance Child Tax Credit (providing they are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)</li><li>Working Tax Credit Run-on, paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999</li><li>The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit Or if the child: </li><li>Is cared for after by the local authority or has been in care for at least one day</li><li>Has been adopted from care</li><li>Has left care through special guardianship or child arrangements order (previously a residence order) If a parent’s circumstances have recently changed, we would recommend that they submit additional information in the form of their Universal Credit statement, tax credits or benefit letter from HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) or DWP (Department of Works and Pensions) to demonstrate their entitlement when the EYPP application is made.</li></ul>How can an application be made? Parents and carers should speak with the staff at their child's nursery education provider and ask to provide the relevant information. The provider will share this information with Together for Children Sunderland, who will check eligibility using the Department of Education's Eligibility Checking Service. The nursery education provider will be informed whether the parent is eligible or not. How is the funding paid to the nursery education provider? Payments for eligible children will be made to nursery education providers on a termly basis.

Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)

Mam and toddler playing with wooden toy train

There are several important things to consider when selecting a childcare provider to look after your little charges.   First of all you need to consider the type of childcare provider who can meet your needs: <ul><li>School Nursery - usually care for children from 2 but some only take from 3 up to school age.  They might be privately run or be attached to a school.  They are usually term time only and have shorter hours to match the school day.  </li><li>Day Nursery - cater for children from babies up to school age.  They are usually open all year and have longer opening hours than preschools.  They can be privately run or attached to a school. </li><li>Childminder - care for children at their own homes, usually alongside a small group of other children.  They look after children from babies up to school age and often beyond as they start school. They can usually be flexible with the care they offer to match your needs. </li><li>Nanny - care for children in your home and are employed by you. </li></ul>Once you have decided on your preferred providers, it is advisable to visit them and ask questions about the care provided.   THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR<ul><li>Is the setting welcoming and friendly?</li><li>Is there enough space for your child to move around and be active?</li><li>Do children have plenty of opportunities to access outdoors?</li><li>How is the setting arranged?  Is there a quiet area and room for messy play etc?</li><li>Is it clean, safe and secure?</li><li>Do staff listen, talk and interact appropriately with the children and with each other?</li><li>Do children look engaged and happy?</li><li>How interested are the children in the activities and resources on offer?</li><li>Do the staff welcome your questions?</li><li>Do they appear to value your knowledge of your child? </li></ul>QUESTIONS YOU COULD THINK ABOUT ASKINGGeneral<ul><li>Do you offer / plan to offer funded childcare from 9 months old / two / three and four year olds? </li><li>Do you offer funded childcare all year round or term time only?</li><li>What are your opening times and holiday dates?</li><li>What happens if my child is absent due to sickness / holiday etc. do I still pay?</li><li>What happens if the setting is closed due to sickness / bank holidays etc. do I still pay? </li><li>What happens if my child arrives late?</li><li>Do you accept same day bookings? If so is there a cut off time / additional charges?</li><li>How many children do you look after at any one time? </li><li>What is the adult to child ratio? (2 year old ratios in nurseries can be flexible so some settings may have 1:4 whilst others 1:5)</li><li>How are activities chosen?</li><li>Can children choose their own activities?</li><li>How will you keep me informed about my child's progress?</li><li>How will my child's individual needs be met? </li><li>How will you respond to my child's interests?</li><li>How does the key person system work in the setting?</li><li>What can I do to support my child's learning and development?</li><li>What qualifications and experience do staff have? </li></ul>Children with additional needs<ul><li>Who is the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo)?</li><li>Is it possible to meet the SENCo today? </li><li>How will I be able to meet with / talk to the SENCo?</li><li>Could I have a copy of the SEN policy?</li><li>Does the SENCo have any additional qualifications?</li><li>Will staff be trained to meet my child's needs?</li><li>Is the building accessible, with wheelchair access, wide doors, ramps and toilets?</li><li>How will my child's diet be catered for?</li><li>How will my child be helped to settle in?</li></ul>Costs<ul><li>Do you require a deposit? </li><li>Is it refunded from the first month's fee?</li><li>What are the hourly / sessional / daily rates?</li><li>How do I pay?</li><li>Do you accept Tax Free Childcare / Childcare Vouchers / student finance?</li><li>Do you take payment in advance or in arrears?  Is this weekly / monthly / half termly?</li><li>What happens if my child is absent due to sickness / holiday etc. do I still pay? </li><li>What happens if the setting is closed due to sickness / bank holidays etc. do I still pay? </li></ul>Welfare<ul><li>How will you keep my child safe? </li><li>What happens if my child is ill or can't attend?</li><li>What meals / menus are offered?  Is there a choice? </li><li>How are allergies / dietary requirements catered for?</li><li>Is water readily available? </li><li>Do you provide snacks? </li><li>Is there an area my child can sleep / rest if needed? </li><li>What is your policy on:<ul><li>Sleep</li><li>Health and Safety</li><li>Safeguarding and child protection</li><li>Complaints</li><li>Behaviour management</li><li>Equality</li><li>Administering medication</li><li>Accidents and injuries</li><li>Risk assessment</li></ul></li><li>What is your settling in process for new children? </li></ul>