08/12/2004

Parents to get extra financial support for nannies

Thousands of parents will be able to get financial support to help pay for nannies from April 2005, Children's Minister Margaret Hodge announced today.

Speaking at the annual Sure Start Conference, Ms Hodge said that under the Childcare Approval Scheme, families on incomes of up to £59,000 will be eligible for Working Tax Credit support for childcare in their own home.

The Minister said that parents will also gain the added security of knowing that their nanny has passed a series of key checks before being approved for the Scheme, helping parents in the recruitment process.

"The Government's 10 year childcare strategy is nothing short of a childcare revolution which provides real choice for parents and real life chances for children,” Margaret Hodge said. “Historically parents have struggled to secure high quality, affordable childcare, but our strategy is putting childcare at the heart of the modern welfare state for the 21st century."

"By providing quality, accessible and affordable childcare that is available to parents when and where they need it, we are creating the conditions for children to develop, parents to work, train or access education, and for families and communities to escape poverty.”

The Government's ten year strategy for childcare and early years last week increased the limits of the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit to £300 a week (£175 for one child) from April 2005, an increase in the maximum proportion of costs that can be claimed from 70% to 80% from April 2006.

(MB/SP)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

07 September 2011
Childcare Costs Force Poor Out Of Work
Families on low-incomes across the UK are having to turn down jobs or are considering leaving work because they can't afford to pay for childcare. New research from Save the Children and Daycare Trust also found that parents, regardless of income, say that they can't afford not to work, but struggle to pay for childcare.
01 June 2015
PM Plans To Double Free Childcare For Working Parents
Prime Minister David Cameron plans to double free childcare for working parents, with some families set to benefit as early as next year. Parents will benefit from 30 hours of free childcare, with rollout to start from 2016 – a year earlier than planned.
18 March 2014
Working Parents To Benefit From Childcare Allowance
A major new childcare package to help millions of parents has been unveiled by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister today. The measures will help parents to go out to work if they want to and provide more security for their families, while directing extra support to those children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
11 November 2004
Labour and Tories present childcare plans
With the party machines gearing up for the general election, both the government and the Opposition have today been courting working families with the launch of their respective proposals for childcare provision.
03 September 2014
Free Childcare Announced For Two-Year-Olds
Two-year-olds are to receive 15 hours free childcare every week, under new plans announced by the Liberal Democrats. Currently all three and four-year-olds and two-year-olds from the most hard-pressed homes are eligible for 15 hours free childcare each week. Liberal Democrats want all children to have the opportunity to get the best start in life.