Save money and make payments more easily!
Parents get a great deal from Family Vouchers
You can have part of your salary paid direct to your childcare provider in Family Vouchers of up to £55 a week (£243 a month) from your employer - this system is known as 'Salary Sacrifice'. Unlike your salary, you don't have to pay any tax or national insurance on Family Vouchers. The saving in tax and national insurance is worth up to £1195 a year for each parent, so families can save up to £2390 a year.
What can Family Vouchers be used for?
Nurseries, playgroups and pre-school
Registered childminders
After-school clubs and breakfast clubs
Holiday play schemes
Nannies and au-pairs
Family Vouchers can be used until the September after your child's 15th birthday (or 16th birthday if your child has a disability).
How can I check if my childcare provider is eligible to accept Family Vouchers?
During the process we check your childcare provider's eligibility to receive Family Vouchers. If you want to check first, ask your childcare provider if they are registered or approved by any of the following authorities:
Can my nanny, babysitter or relative receive Family Vouchers?
In England, childcare given in the child's own home by an approved carer or by a carer from a registered agency can be paid for using Family Vouchers as long as the carer is not a relative of the child. Nannies in England can easily become eligible to accept Family Vouchers by registering voluntarily with the Ofsted register.
In Scotland, all childcare agencies including nanny and babysitting services are registered and care provided by agencies in a child's own home is eligible as long as the carer is not a relative of the child.
In Wales nannies need to be registered with the Childcare Approval Scheme for Wales.
In Northern Ireland carers need to be registered with their local Health and Social Services Trust.
N.B. Relatives are eligible for Family Vouchers so long as they are providing care for the child away from the child's home, registered or approved and also caring for unrelated children.
Will my nursery or carer accept Family Vouchers?
Most childcare providers are happy to accept Family Vouchers. We'll ask you for the name and address of your childcare provider when you register. If your carer isn't already on our database, we'll send them a simple registration form on your behalf. In the unlikely event of your childcare provider not accepting Family Vouchers, we will provide a full refund of your vouchers.
How do I pay for my childcare provider with Family Vouchers?
There are two ways that you can use Family Vouchers to pay your childcare provider:
Regular payments: We can pay your childcare provider automatically. You choose how often - weekly or monthly - and tell us the date on which the first payment should be made
One-off payments: You can request a one-off electronic payment from your Family Vouchers account at any time. The payment will be processed instantly and should clear in your care provider's bank account within 3 working days.