No guarantee is given for the accuracy of the information given on this page which is subject to change.
Childcare can impose a heavy financial commitment on parents especially when responsibility is shared with others. If you choose to use registered childcare, OFSTED or another Authority regulate for minimum standards of care primarily for the welfare of the children but also for your own piece of mind. In all childcare settings, the cost of staffing makes up the majority of the costs. The qualifications and experience of the staff team plus the staffing ratio, largely determines the fees which are charged.
The government has legislated for various schemes to help reduce the costs of childcare and we also offer our own in-house arrangements.
Hitchin Town Centre Initiative Discount Offer
If you or your employer is a current member of the Hitchin Town Centre Initiative,
we will offer an introductory discount of 10% on fees payable to us for the
first three months. This offer applies only to one child. You need to let us
know you are claiming the discount when you first register your child with us.
Nursery Discount for Full time attendance
If your child attends on a full time basis, we will automatically apply a discount
of approximately 11% of the daily rate. If you have more than one child attending
on a part time basis, and your total number of sessions per week is ten or more,
we will automatically apply a discount of 10% to the fees of both children.
'Workplace Nursery' Salary Sacrifice Scheme
Again, if you are employed, we are registered with Early Years Ltd to operate
on behalf of your employer as a 'Workplace Nurery'. To benefit from this scheme,
you can ask your employer to enter in an agreement with Early Years Ltd to pay
the total nursery fees direct to us on a monthly basis. There is no maximum
cap on the amounts payable therefore you can save the Income Tax and National
Insurance payments which would be payable on the total childcare fees. This
scheme is preferable if your total fees are in excess of £500.00 per month.
Further details can be found at http://www.earlyyears.net
Childcare Vouchers
If you are employed, you can request to set up a salary sacrifice agreement
between yourself and your employer. Your gross salary is reduced and your employer
pays a portion of the childcare costs through an agency direct to the childcarer.
You pay the nursery any outstanding balance. At present, the maximum amount
which can be paid in this way is £55.00 per week but the effect is you
do not pay Income Tax and National Insurance payments on fees paid in this way.
Both parents are eligible to apply making a total of £110.00 per week.
Further details can be found at:
http://www.hertsdirect.org/caresupport/
childfam/younginherts/workingparents/vouchersemployer
Childcare Element of Working Tax Credit
If you are either employed or self employed for more than sixteen hours per
week, you may be able to claim the Childcare element of the Working Tax Credit.
You will need to contact your Inland Revenue Office to find out whether or not
you are eligible. You can receive credits up to a maximum of 70% of your childcare
costs. There is a limit of £175.00 per week for one child and £300.00
for two or more children. Further details can be found at http://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk
Local Authority Nursery Education Grant
Every child over three years is entilted to a free 'nursery place' for 5 x 2.5
hours sessions per week for 38 weeks per year. This entitlement commences at
the start of the Term after your child is three years old and has the effect
of reducing the monthly fees payable to us. We will contact you at the appropriate
time and ask you to complete a claim form. At present, the maximum grant is
worth approximately £140 per month. If your child also attends a Local
Authority nursery you cannot claim the Nursery Education Grant through us. Further
details can be found at:
http://www.hertsdirect.org/caresupport/childfam/
younginherts/choosingchildcare/nurseryfunding
Local Authority Nursery Support Scheme
If your child is approching three years old and you have a combined household
income of below approximately £25,500.00, you can apply for a free 'nursery
place' for 3 x 2.5 hours sessions per week for 38 weeks per year. This entitlement
commences at the start of the Term during which your child is three years old
and has the effect of reducing the monthly fees payable to us. We will contact
you at the appropriate time and enquire whether you are eligible and if so,
ask you to complete a claim form. At present, the maximum grant is worth approximately
£84 per month. Further details can be found at the website link above.
Childcare Support Fund
If you are 19 or over and are studying at a further education or higher education
college, Local Authority Childcare Support Fund can help with your childcare
costs. You need to contact the Student Services department of your college for
further details. You can receive support of up to £145.00 per week per
child to assist with childcare fees. Further details can be found at:
http://www.hertsdirect.org/caresupport/childfam/
younginherts/workingparents/help/caretolearn
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit
If you are eligible to receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, the costs
of childcare up to £175.00 per week for one child or £300.00 for
more than one child, can be deducted from your earnings before the Benefit is
calculated. This may increase the total benefit to which you are entitled. Further
information can be found at http://www.north-herts.gov.uk
New Deal Childcare Subsidy
Under the New Deal arrangements if you are working under 16 hours per week (or
the partner of people on other New Deal schemes working less than 24 hours per
week) you may be entitled to a childcare subsidy of up to £67.50 per week
for one child or £100.00 per week for more than one child. Further details
may be obtained from your local Job Centre Plus or http://www.newdeal.gov.uk