The Government is introducing Tax-Free Childcare, to help parents go out to work if they want to so they can provide greater security for their family. This will be available to all eligible employees from autumn 2015. However, it is important to note that you will not lose your ESC entitlement. You will be able to choose whether you continue receiving Employer-Supported Childcare or move to Tax-Free Childcare, although a household cannot be in receipt of support through both schemes at the same time.
The Government will provide clear advice and guidance to allow you to decide which support best suits your individual circumstances.
You can carry on in the current scheme for as long as your employer continues to offer the scheme. If you move employers after autumn 2015 you will no longer be entitled for Employer-Supported Childcare – although you will be able to join the new scheme if you meet the eligibility requirements.
Workplace nurseries will not be affected by the introduction of Tax-Free Childcare.
For parents whose employer does not offer Employer-Supported Childcare
The Government is introducing Tax-Free childcare, to help parents go out to work if they want to so they can provide greater security for their family. This will be available to all eligible employees from autumn 2015. You can register for the scheme direct with Government, open a childcare account, and receive 20 per cent support towards qualifying childcare costs, up to a limit of £2,000 Government support per child per year.
Tax-Free Childcare will be introduced in autumn 2015. The scheme will be rolled out to parents with children under 12 within the first year of the scheme’s introduction. The Government will set out further details of the scheme’s rollout in due course, in good time for you to factor in to your childcare plans. Further advice is available at GOV.UK