Nursery managers will welcome the launch of the Daycare Trust's new online resource, www.payingfor childcare.org.uk, which provides information for parents wishing to calculate exactly what benefits or grants they are entitled to when it comes to contributing to the cost of childcare.
In its major report published last year, the Daycare Trust highlighted what nursery providers had long been bemoaning - that many parents are simply unaware that they qualify for the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit, or are fazed by the bureaucracy involved in trying to access it. The report underlined that while many parents were accessing the free nursery entitlement, the Working Tax Credit, which is aimed at other age groups and at working parents, was received by only 3 per cent of parents.
Daycare Trust information officer Lucy Bosher says, 'Many nurseries come to us asking for help in giving parents the information they need to help families negotiate the maze of finding help with childcare. This website has been designed to help a wide range of families and particularly those for whom English is not their first language.'
The site provides targeted information for a wide range of circumstances, aimed at working parents, those thinking of studying or training, and families with disabled children. One of its main features is the tax credit checker, a click-through tool which can tell users whether they are likely to be eligible for the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit.
'This can pay up to 80 per cent of the cost of eligible childcarers, although few parents apply for it,' says Ms Bosher. 'Many people seem to think that tax credits are only for those on the lowest income. While they are means-tested, a lot of parents could be surprised to find that they are in fact eligible for help.'
There is also a section dedicated to accessing support if a child has additional needs. 'The user just has to click their way through a sub-section to get information that's relevant to their particular situation.'
The website has been designed by Guardian Professional and produced with finance from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. It complements Daycare Trust's existing range of information services for parents and carers, including its information line on 0207 840 3350.
'We will be raising awareness about the site among British ethnic minority families, those on low incomes and lone parents. However, the site is intended to be a useful resource for all families,' says says Ms Bosher. 'We will be building on this with further resources in line with what both providers and families are asking for.'
www.payingforchildcare.org.uk.
