Employer Assisted Childcare
Save pounds on childcare with vouchers
The scheme provides childcare vouchers up to a maximum of £55 per week in return for sacrificing the equivalent amount of your salary. As vouchers are non-taxable and exempt from national insurance, there are significant savings to be made. (But please see Changes to Voucher Scheme which will come into effect in April 2011 for new joiners to the scheme or for people rejoining after a break of 12 months or more.)
For example, staff paying childcare costs of £200 a month could save around £800 on their annual childcare costs. If both parents claim vouchers, these savings could be doubled. The vouchers can be used on all registered and approved childcare providers, including registered childminders, nurseries and play schemes, and out-of-hours clubs on school premises. The voucher scheme simply changes the way in which your child carer is paid.
Both parents are entitled to claim up to £55 of childcare vouchers each week (or £243 a month). For new joiners to the scheme (or re-joiners) from April 2011 this will apply to 20% taxpayers only; the limit for 40% taxpayers will be £124 per month and for 50% taxpayers £97 per month (see Changes to Voucher Scheme for further information). This limit remains the same regardless of how many children you may have.
The scheme is run for the University by an external provider, Computershare Voucher Services (formerly known as Busy Bees), who undertake all marketing, administration and support (other than salary adjustments) on our behalf. Computershare Voucher Services provide extensive information and guidance on their website at www.computersharevoucherservices.com, or you can phone them on 0845 002 1111.
If I use vouchers am I restricted in the type of childcare I choose?
In the main the answer is No. Vouchers can be used to pay for a wide range of childcare provision, but all carers who receive vouchers as payment must either be registered with Ofsted or the equivalent authority for Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland or have approved status.
Registered and approved childcare information can be found on the HMRC website.
University Nursery
A separate scheme is now operating for staff using our own nurseries (in the Lakeside area of campus and at Warwick HRI). This is also a salary sacrifice scheme, but tax and national insurance exemptions are not limited to £55 per week and there is no need to have vouchers. Further details should now have been sent to all staff with children at the nurseries, or contact the University nursery manager (Debbie Castle; x23389) for more information.
Computershare Childcare Vouchers
Scheme ID:0000037970
Employer ID: 0000037989
Scheme Name: University of Warwick - monthly
