Childcare options explained

If you're a young parent thinking about starting work, increasing your work house or getting back into education, childcare can feel like one of the biggest topics to navigate and figure out. How much will it cost? Who will look after my child? Can Universal Credit help? How do I actually apply? All these questions can feel like a lot to figure out on your own so this article explains the main childcare options here in the UK and what support there is around Nottinghamshire for you to explore further.

What childcare options are there?

There are several different types of childcare and the right one for you will depend on your child's age and needs, your working hours, where you live and what you can afford. Let's explore each in more detail:

• Nursery - Nursery provide childcare for babies and young children usually during the day, through what is often called sessions. Children may attend nursery for morning/ afternoon sessions or full days. For early year foundation units within school settings, these normally fit within the typical school open hours and holidays but standalone nursery settings may offer longer hours so it's important to check if the open hours will fit your needs.

• Childminders - Childminders are registered childcare professionals who often look after children in their own homes. They can sometimes offer more flexible hours than nurseries which is useful if you work shifts or have different working hours from week to week. Search childminders in Nottinghamshire here.

• Family and friends - If you have someone you can trust to help with childcare, this might also be part of your plan. They might look after your child for a few hours, help with school pick ups or provide flexible childcare as a backup for those times when your usual arrangements aren't available.

• Breakfast/afterschool clubs and holiday clubs - If your child is school age, you may be able to use wrap-around clubs or holiday clubs around your working hours. In Nottinghamshire, there is a funded holiday programme (HAF) for children aged 5-16years which you may be eligible for if you receive certain benefits. Find out more and check your eligibility here. Paid-for wrap-around activities are also available so it's worth searching online to explore your options.

How much does childcare cost?

There isn't one standard price for childcare services within the UK and costs will vary depending on where you live, the nursery/childminder, number of hours you need and whether meals or other extra's are included. Before applying for/accepting a job, try to work out your real take-home amount after childcare and travel costs to see which option is achievable for your family.

Is there any financial support for childcare?

Yes. There are several support packages in place to help parents get back into work or study which may be useful to know about. Depending on your family circumstances, you might be eligible for:

• Universal credit - UC can pay back up to 85% of your registered childcare costs if you are working or have an offer of paid work. How much you get will depend on your actual childcare costs and circumstances but it's important to note the UC childcare support has traditionally involved paying your childcare costs then reporting what you've paid to UC for reimbursement. Speak to UC before making arrangements so you can better understand what help may be available: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-childcare-costs

• Free childcare for working parents - In England, all 3-4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours of funded early education a week for 38 weeks of the year. Some eligible parents in England can currently get 30 hours of free childcare per week for 38 weeks a year for children aged 9months-4 years though so check what you are eligible for here: https://www.gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working

• Tax free childcare - Tax free childcare helps cover some of the costs of paying for childcare by setting up a childcare account which both you and the government will pay into. For every £8 you pay into the account, the government will top it up by £2 and you can then use this saving pot to pay your childcare provider: https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare

• Care to Learn scheme - The Care to Learn scheme can help with childcare costs while you study but you must be aged 20 or under at the start of your course to be eligible. It is only available for publicly-funded courses in England and will not affect your family's benefits or allowances. If you're interested in returning the education as a young parent, read more about this here: https://www.gov.uk/care-to-learn

Don't let childcare stop you looking for work or college courses

It can be tempting to think 'I can't afford childcare so I can't afford to work or go to college' but it's worth checking what support you could receive before making that decision. Childcare costs, UC and your earnings can interact in different ways so be sure to speak to your work coach, preferred college or childcare support services for help working through the numbers. The Childcare Choices tool is also a useful first step to checking for providers and support entitlements so is well worth a look if you're beginning to consider your options.