All three and four year-olds are entitled to free part-time nursery places through the Nursery Education Grant; this entitlement 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. As of April 2003, four year olds are entitled to Ј416 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 government-funded ChildcareLink site 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 page on ‘New Tax Credits’. The 2001 budget raised the limit of eligible costs from a maximum of Ј100 to Ј135 for families with childcare costs for one child and from Ј150 to Ј200 for families with two or more children.

The new Working Tax Credit is intended to help families on lower incomes reduce their childcare costs. For further information visit the relevant Inland Revenue pages or call the Working Tax Credit Helpline on (in Northern Ireland, call ) to find out if you are eligible and which types of childcare are included in the scheme. Contact your local Jobcentre Plus 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 creche places or other daycare to students on income-related benefits or in deprived areas. See information on further education funding in Scotland and Wales.

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

The organisation Working Families ) 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 nanny contract is also available through the site for Ј5. 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 on .

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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