The Role of Moray Childcare Partnership – Parents/Carers

The Scottish Government seeks to ensure parents and carers have access to high quality and affordable childcare services which match both the child and parent/carers needs.  Moray Childcare Partnership (MCP) is charged by the Scottish Government to provide reliable and up to date information on childcare provision and issues surrounding childcare in the Moray area. 
MCP can also advise on any issues surrounding childcare including:-

Childcare Vacancies in Moray

MCP holds details on registered childcare available in Moray.  The websites below detail how to access the information you require. 

Scottish Childcare Website

Go to www.scottishchildcare.gov.uk, select Childcare in Local Areas, choose Moray from the Authority section, select GO, select Childcare Search then enter the criteria suitable to you.

Moray Childcare Partnership Website

This website details a list of current childcare vacancies in Moray; this list is updated on a weekly basis.  Go to www.moraychildcarepartnership.co.uk from the home page select parents’/carers’ section, and then select Childcare in Moray, Childcare Vacancies in Moray, Childcare Vacancies.  To access more information about the provision you are searching for follow the steps above then select Childcare Providers in Moray rather than Childcare Vacancies in Moray. 

Our website also offers a range of information for parents/carers and children.  The parents’/carers’ section has areas on family information (including family finance, family safety, etc), education (including curriculum, healthy packed lunches, etc), health and wellbeing (including pregnancy and birth, diet and nutrition, wellbeing and health).  Also within this section there are clips of fun ways to interact with your baby, toddler and pre-schooler.  The kids’ section includes curriculum information for help with projects and homework to information on sport, advice and much more.

Childcare Tax Credits and Childcare Vouchers

If you are a working parent, you could be entitled to money from the Government to help you pay for childcare.  There is a form of financial help called the Working Tax Credit, for low to middle income families, with extra help for childcare called the childcare tax credits element.
To find out more about Working Tax Credit you can ask for help from:

  • The Inland Revenue Tax Credits helpline on 0845 300 3900 (open Sunday to Saturday 8am to 8pm);
  • Local welfare advisors;
  • Your new deal advisor at your local Jobcentre Plus office.

Or

  • Pick up a leaflet from the Post Office;
  • Check the Inland Revenue website www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits;
  • Ask for information in your Jobcentre Plus office, Jobcentre or Tax Enquiry Centre.

What are Tax Credits?

Tax Credits are payments from the Government.  If you are responsible for at least one child or young person who normally lives with you, you may qualify for Child Tax Credit.  If you work, but earn low wages, you may qualify for Working Tax Credit.

Working Tax Credit supports working people (whether employed or self-employed) on low incomes by topping up earnings.  

Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit do not affect Child Benefit payments which are paid separately.

    Who can get it?

To qualify for Tax Credits you must be aged 16 or over and usually live in the United Kingdom. You may also qualify if you do not live in the UK but you are:

  • A national of another country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or of Switzerland and you work in the UK and pay UK National Insurance Contributions;

OR

  • A Crown Servant posted overseas, or their accompanying partner;

OR

  • A national of an EEA Member State (including the UK) or of Switzerland, living in the EEA or Switzerland, and are receiving UK state pension or contributions based Jobseeker's Allowance.

You may not be able to get tax credits if you are subject to immigration control.  For further advice on this go to www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/index.htm

Couples must make a joint Tax Credits application.  If you are part of a couple, you cannot decide to apply as a single person Child Tax Credit.

What are Childcare Vouchers?

Childcare Vouchers are a means of paying for childcare.  They are one of the ways in which employers can assist employees with childcare costs.  A percentage of your earnings supplied via Childcare Vouchers will be exempt from Tax and National Insurance Contributions (NIC) for employees so they may help you save money with your childcare costs.

How does a Childcare Voucher scheme work?

Some employers run a scheme with the help of a Childcare Voucher Company and will pay that Company an admin fee for their service. 

  • The Voucher Company will either supply you directly with your Childcare Vouchers or they will provide your employer with them to distribute to staff accordingly. 
  • Employees in receipt of Childcare Vouchers can use them to pay their childcare provider. 
  • The childcare provider will then redeem the value of the Voucher from the Childcare Voucher Company, usually by direct payment into their bank account. 
  • Some employers choose to administer the scheme themselves, in which case your childcare provider would claim the money from the employer direct.

How do Childcare Vouchers save me money?

As an employee, you do not have to pay Tax and National Insurance Contributions on Childcare Vouchers that you receive.  As a result, they may save you money on childcare costs.   If you have a partner you can both join your employer's Voucher scheme (if they operate one), which means twice the amount of savings are available.

How much can I receive in Vouchers?

You can receive any amount in Vouchers, but only a percentage will be free from Tax and NIC.  If you are involved in a Salary Sacrifice scheme and receive a reduction in your salary your cash pay must not fall below the national minimum wage.

What sort of childcare can they be used to pay for?

Vouchers can only be used to pay for registered childcare.  Some example of this can include:

  • Childminders, nurseries and playschemes;
  • Out of School Clubs run by a school on the school premises or by a local authority.

Can all childcare providers accept payment through Childcare Vouchers?

Yes, as long as they have a bank account, however not all childcare providers choose to accept them and they do not have to by law.  You would need to check with your childcare provider first before joining a scheme.  Information packs are available from Voucher companies explaining Vouchers to providers, should your childcare provider have any concerns.

What age does a child cease to qualify for the exemptions through this kind of support?

A child qualifies up to 1 September following their 15th birthday or 1 September following their 16th birthday if they are disabled.

What should you be aware of?

Childcare Vouchers are a way of effectively decreasing your childcare costs but it is important to be aware of all the features and effects of a salary sacrifice scheme:

  • Joining a salary sacrifice scheme may affect your entitlement to benefits and tax credits.
  • When you sign up to a salary sacrifice scheme you will normally be required to do so for a fixed period of time (often one year), after which the agreement can be reviewed.
  • Your contract will change, and require to be signed by you that you agree to sacrifice part of your salary in return for Vouchers.  This means that within the period covered by the Voucher you do not have an automatic right to stop receiving Vouchers and revert back to receiving your full salary unless a life changing event has taken place
  • The receipt of Childcare Vouchers can affect parents’ entitlements to Child Tax Credit and/or Working Tax Credit.  The childcare element of Working Tax Credit may be reduced.

In some instances parents may be financially better off opting to receive help through Working Tax Credits rather than through their employers Childcare Vouchers scheme.

How do I know if I would be better off with Tax Credits or with a Voucher Scheme?

The following points provide a rough guide as to what would be beneficial for you, but you should always make sure you check your individual situation carefully:
Please ensure you check your individually circumstances before taking part in a Voucher Scheme.

For more information on Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit contact the Tax Credit helpline on 0845 300 3900 or visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/childcare.
Further information about Childcare Vouchers and employer supported childcare can be obtained at the following website www.payingforchildcare.org.uk .

Regulatory and inspection services within childcare settings

Select parent/carers section from home page, click on Regulating Bodies of Childcare

Types of childcare

Registered Childcare is care that is inspected by The Care Inspectorate against the National Care Standards (Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16 years) and the associated regulations.  Registered Childcare is a service which operates for more than 2 hours and on more than 6 days per year.  Unregistered Childcare is care where parents remain responsible for their children or operates for less than 2 hours a day and for less than 6 days per year.

For more information on types of childcare go to our home page and click on the Parents & Carers section, click Childcare in Moray and then click Childcare Providers in Moray.  Select Childcare in Local Areas, choose Moray from the Authority section, select GO, select Childcare Search then enter the criteria suitable to you.

Parent’s checklist

Before you make a final decision about the best childcare to suit you and your child’s needs, read through the lists below to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything important.

Options

  • Have you looked at several local options to get a good idea of what is available?
  • Have you worked out exactly how much it will cost you each week?
  • If you can’t afford your preferred option, have you found out what Government help may be available?

Your Child’s Main Carer

  • Is the carer trained and/or experienced?
  • Have you spoken in person to at least one (preferably two) parents who have used the carer and heard good things about him/her?
  • Does the carer respond to your child as an individual and communicate well with you?
  • Are you and your child made to feel welcome?
  • Is he/she willing to help you continue your child’s routine with things such as sleep, food or any special needs?
  • Is he/she willing to fit in with your ideas on discipline, toilet training, sweets and other issues?

Your Child’s Environment

  • If outside your own home, is the place safe, clean and well equipped?
  • Will your child have contact with other children?
  • Is there a safe outside space where he/she can play?
  • Are there plenty of appropriate toys, and will your children have lots of opportunities to play with them?
  • Is it an environment in which your child will feel happy and confident whatever his/her ability, race, culture, language or gender?

Your instincts

  • Do you like the person who’ll have responsibility for your child?
  • Do you find them easy to talk to and willing to listen?
  • Do you feel relieved to have found someone you can trust?

Once you are satisfied on most, if not all, of the above you are in a great position to go ahead and book your child’s place with the carer of your choice.

Please contact the MCP office on 01343 545368 if you have any questions.