Tax breaks will be available for all forms of registered childcare, including childminders, not just employer-run nurseries. We should see an end to the rather unworkable regulation that for employees to qualify for tax exemption on nursery fees, the employer company must have a significant financial and management interest in the setting. A large proportion of companies do not have the means or inclination to have an on-site nursery.
Those companies do not particularly want to help run one either - that is not the best solution for nursery or employer. And many parents would rather their child attended nursery near to their home instead of coming to work or commuting to a nearby setting.
There should be a massive boost for childcare voucher schemes - used by around 25,000 parents at present, but very much on the rise. Companies providing such schemes must be looking forward to business booming.
This consultation should receive a positive response and could make a real difference to working parents.
