Childcare
The University of Reading childcare voucher scheme
Do you pay for your childcare provision?
If so, you can take advantage of your statutory entitlement to use up to £243* per month of salary tax and National Insurance FREE to pay towards your childcare costs.
Childcare vouchers are a tax and National Insurance efficient scheme to provide working parents with help towards paying for childcare
Providing you earn above the minimum wage after deductions working parents are entitled, through salary sacrifice, to exchange up to £243* per month, towards your childcare costs in the form of childcare vouchers.
See how much you could save
| Basic Rate Taxpayer* | Higher Rate Taxpayer |
Higher Tax Rate Annual Savings | |
| Weekly Contribution | £55 | £28 | £22 |
| Monthly Contribution | £243 | £124 | £97 |
| Savings | £933 | £623 | £606 |
What is salary sacrifice?
The University of Reading childcare voucher scheme achieves these savings in childcare costs through a Salary Sacrifice agreement which reduces your salary by amending your terms and conditions of employment. In return for your salary sacrifice, you receive childcare vouchers which can be used to pay your childcare provider. You will not be liable for tax and National Insurance due on the amount sacrificed.
For more information on the University of Reading's childcare voucher scheme please read the
Parents guide (PDF - 920KB).
Additional information
HM Revenue and Customs
Information on various points of the Scheme can be found at the HM Revenue and Customs web site: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childcare/
Tax Credits
For information and guidance please go to web site. The helpline nunber is 0845 300 390 http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/menus/credits.htm.
Salary Sacrifice
The HM Revenue and Customs Salary Sacrifice guide can be downloaded directly from
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/specialist/salary_sacrifice.pdf.
Further University information on salary sacrifice can be found at Pay: salary sacrifice.
SureStart approval scheme
Sure Start is the Government's programme to deliver the best start in life for every child by bringing together early education, childcare, health and family support. More information can be found at http://www.education.gov.uk/popularquestions/childrenandfamilies/Childminding/surestart.
Registerd childcare
A registered childminder, nursery, afterschool scheme and holiday club is one that is registered:
in England, by OFSTED, http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/, tel: 0300 123 1231.
in Wales, by the National Assembly for Wales (through the Care Standards Inspectorate for Wales), http://wales.gov.uk/cssiwsubsite/newcssiw/?lang=en, tel: 01443 848 450.
in Scotland, by the Scottish Commission for the Regulation for Care, http://www.carecommission.com/, tel: 01382 207 100.
Search for your nearest nursery at http://www.kidsunlimited.co.uk/find-nursery.aspx or read about childcare provision at the University.