The Nursery Education Grant, which provides free part-time places for many three year olds and all four year olds, covers school nursery or reception classes, nurseries, playgroups and some childminders involved in the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership scheme. Your child is eligible from the term or holiday after they turn three to the tune of £386 per term. Four year olds are entitled to £376.70 per term. Nurseries apply for the grants and receive the funding approximately two terms in arrears. If your child is at a private nursery that participates in the scheme, you should receive a reimbursement from the nursery. Contact your Local Education Authority for more details.

The DfEE has useful pages on ‘Paying for childcare’ and features a section on ‘Childcare and The Law’, which outlines the legal framework for childcare services based on the Children Act 1989.

The Daycare Trust lists several possible sources of help in paying for childcare, including the New Deal for Lone Parents, free nursery place scheme, subsidised local authority facilities, employer support and charity grants. They also have a simple question and answer page on ‘Childcare Tax Credit’. The latest budget has raised the limit of eligible costs from £100 to £135 for families with childcare costs for one child and from £150 to £200 for families with two or more children.

The new Working Families’ Tax Credit, which took the place of Family Credit in 1999, is intended to help families on lower incomes reduce their childcare costs. For further information visit the DSS site or call the Working Families’ Tax Credit Helpline on (Textphone ) to find out if you are eligible and which types of childcare are included in the scheme. Contact your local Benefits Agency office for information about childcare benefits if you are returning to work

The Further Education Funding Council ) provides the funding to allow colleges to provide free crèche places or other daycare to students on income-related benefits or in deprived areas.

The DfEE has produced a page of advice about financing and organising childcare for parents who have embarked on a study or training programme. 

The organisation Parents at Work ) is at the forefront of the work-life balance crusade, campaigning, advising and supplying information. They are sponsored by the Government to produce packs for employers explaining the business benefits of helping employers with childcare needs.

Their website provides a systematic review of all the main childcare options and features factsheets on related topics. A sample nanny contract is also available on the site. Parents of a disabled child in need of childcare are advised to call their ‘Waving not drowning’ helpline for advice ). They also offer a free legal advice service for low-income families ).

Homestart is a nationwide family support charity offering the assistance of volunteer parents to families with at least one child under five. Although the organisation is not a substitute for childcare it is definitely worth remembering if you feel unable to cope at home.
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