Are you claiming financial support towards childcare costs for older children?

Many working parents find it challenging to manage and afford childcare costs for older children who are at school. Organising the morning drop-off and the afternoon pick-ups, and the childcare required to allow parents to be in work on time in the mornings and also be able to work into the late afternoon. This is often referred to as ‘wraparound’ childcare as it wraps around the school day.

In addition, there is the added complication of childcare that is required when schools are closed, whether for the weeks of school holidays or for those one-off days of closure that happen during each term, as well as perhaps having other younger or older children requiring a different form of childcare.

Find out what financial support is available

Many parents don’t realise that there is help available registered childcare costs for older children. This can include some wraparound childcare such as breakfast or after school clubs, as well as registered childminders and day nurseries. Parents may be paying a number of different providers to meet their childcare requirements and may be able to get financial support through Universal Credit, Tax-Free Childcare, Childcare Vouchers or Tax Credits to help meet their bills. Parents can claim support for children under the age of 12 through Tax-Free Childcare and below the age of 16 with the other forms of support.

Finding suitable childcare

The Family Support NI website www.familysupportni.gov.uk is a useful resource for families looking for registered childcare and includes a search function for all registered childcare providers across Northern Ireland. This includes some breakfast and after-school clubs and also includes information on day nurseries and childminders who offer transport to and from school. It’s worth speaking to your local primary school to see what childcare it may offer and whether it accepts Tax-Free Childcare or Childcare Vouchers as a form of payment.

Further information

To find out more about what financial support you are entitled to towards childcare, contact Employers For Childcare’s Family Benefits Advice Service on 028 9267 8200 or email hello@employersforchildcare.org.