Tax free childcare
TAX-FREE CHILDCARE: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Zig Zags is an Ofsted registered childcare provider, which means we accept Tax-Free payment for childcare.
Tax-Free childcare can be a wonderful option for you and your family to save money on childcare costs, however, we understand that the process can feel a little overwhelming.
We’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help get you started. In it, we’ll explain what Tax-Free childcare is, how it works, how to apply, and how to make your childcare payments.
WHAT IS TAX-FREE CHILDCARE AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Tax-Free Childcare is a government initiative designed to help working parents with the cost of childcare.
You open an online account with the government (though the government website, GOV.UK) which you can pay into to cover the cost of childcare with a registered provider. For every 80p you (or someone else) pays in, the government will top up an extra 20p. This is equivalent of the tax most people pay – 20% – which is how the scheme got its name.
The government will top up the account with 20% of childcare costs up to a total of £10,000 – the equivalent of up to £2,000 support per child, per year (or £4,000 for disabled children).
HOW MANY CHILDREN DOES THE TAX-FREE SCHEME COVER?
The good news is that if you’re eligible to apply, you can apply for all your children at the same time, provided they live with you and are of the right age. If your child is adopted, they are also eligible. Your children need to be under the age of 12, although for children with disabilities the age limit is 17 because their childcare costs tend to remain high for longer.
BEFORE YOU APPLY
In order to apply, you first have to check that you are eligible. You can do this here.
Your eligibility depends on the following factors:
- if you are working
- your income (and your partner’s income, if applicable)
- your child’s age and circumstances
- your immigration status
It’s important to consider whether Tax-Free Childcare is the right scheme for you and your family if you’re already claiming Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers. Every family is different and requires different forms of support. To find out which scheme serves you best, you can use this helpful calculator.
*Note that If your Tax-Free Childcare application is accepted, your Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit will stop immediately. Once this happens, you won’t be able to receive them again.
HOW YOU APPLY
Now that you’ve checked your eligibility and decided that the Tax-Free Childcare scheme is right for you and your family, it’s time to apply, which will take about 20 minutes.
You’ll need your details (and your partner’s, if applicable), including your:
- National Insurance number
- Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) if you’re self-employed
During this application process, you’ll discover whether you’re eligible for Tax-Free Childcare. If you live in England, you’ll also find out whether you’re eligible for 30 hours free childcare. It’s possible that you’ll find out straight away, but it can take up to a week.
HOW TO PAY YOUR CHILDCARE PROVIDER
Your chosen childcare provider needs to be approved with the government in order for you to be able to pay them with your Tax-Free account.
The accepted types of childcare providers are:
- registered childminder, nanny, playscheme, nursery or club
- childminder or nanny with a registered childminder agency or childcare agency
- registered school
- home care worker working for a registered home care agency
The rules about how childcare providers become approved are different depending on where you live. You can check if a childcare provider is approved or search for one in:
- England – through Ofsted or the list of registered childminder agencies
- Wales – through Care Inspectorate Wales
- Scotland – through the Scottish Care Inspectorate
- Northern Ireland – through the local early years team register
If you want to claim 30 hours free childcare in England, the provider will also need to be on an Early Years Register with Ofsted or with a registered early years childminder agency – speak to your provider about this.
Once your application has been approved, you’ll be able to pay your chosen childcare provider (tax free) from your government account! You can log into your account here, and once the money is shown as ‘cleared funds’, you can make your payment. The payments should then show in your childcare provider’s account within 24 hours, depending on their bank.
NURSERY FEES
To find out more about fees for our nursery, simply…
Click the button below
Or
To speak directly call our contact centre on 0208 597 0555
OTHER FUNDING OPTIONS
NURSERY FEES AND FUNDING FAQ’S
CAN I BRING MY CHILD TO THE NURSERY VISIT?
Yes, we love meeting the child and they also get the chance to interact with other children.
DOES THE NURSERY PROVIDE FRESH MEALS EVERY DAY?
We have an on-site nursery cook, who prepares all meals and snacks from scratch. We are a pescatarian nursery, but we are also able to cater to any food preferences including but not limited to allergies, veganism, vegetarianism, halal and kosher. During each day, we will provide breakfast, lunch, tea and healthy snacks. Water is available throughout the day.
WHAT CURRICULUM DOES THE NURSERY FOLLOW?
We follow the EYFS (early years foundation stage), which is used by early years professionals and covers the period from birth to the end of the school reception year. This ensures that we cover the seven areas of learning and gives your child the best possible start to their education and learning. Young children learn best through play, and hence the children’s activities are planned around their interests and needs. This ensures that the children continue to learn and develop, whilst engaged in activities revolving around their favourite toys, games and interests.
DO THE CHILDREN PLAY OUTSIDE EVERYDAY AT NURSERY?
All children have access to the outdoor area(s) every day. Hence, we do ask that you provide weather appropriate outdoor clothing all year round.
HOW OFTEN DOES THE NURSERY GIVE FEEDBACK ABOUT MY CHILD’S PROGRESS?
Daily feedback about your child’s day at nursery is provided through daily diaries, feedback sheets, online learning journals and/or verbal feedback, depending on your child’s age. We hold termly parent consultation meetings when you are invited to meet with your child’s key person to discuss progress. You can make an appointment at any time to speak to the nursery manager or your child’s key person to discuss any concerns.
We use an online learning journal to record your child’s progress and some of the fun things they get up to. You will be given a secure login so you can check the App or log on to your account at any time. We love it when you also upload pictures and notes of what your child has been doing outside of nursery.
HOW DO WE ACCOMMODATE CHILDREN FOR WHOM ENGLISH IS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE?
You will be asked to bring in a list of key words (e.g. hello, goodbye, toilet, hungry, thirsty, happy, etc.) phonetically written in the child’s first language. We place picture routines and prompts around the child’s room to help them understand their surroundings and the routine of the day. We have a number of multi lingual staff at the nurseries, who can help the children, as well as access to a vast range of dual language books.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING DO THE STAFF AT ZIG ZAGS HAVE?
The majority of staff are NVQ qualified and all staff receive training in paediatric first aid, food safety and hygiene, fire awareness and safeguarding children. Staff also receive additional training based on their specific roles and responsibilities.
IS THE NURSERY DEPOSIT REFUNDABLE?
Yes, provided you give one month’s written notice and your account is up to date with no outstanding balance.
WHEN AND HOW WILL I RECEIVE INVOICES FOR NURSERY FEES?
Fees are billed on a monthly basis and fees are due by the 1st of each month. Your invoice will be emailed to you each month around the 25th of each month which you can access using a password which we will provide you with. We accept payments by standing order, BACS transfers, childcare vouchers and via the government’s tax free childcare scheme.
CAN I BOOK EXTRA NURSERY SESSIONS?
Extra sessions can be booked with the nursery manager via email. We will always try and accommodate extra session requests, but this will of course depend on how many children are already booked in for the required day. Payment for extra sessions is required in advance.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY FEES IF MY CHILD IS ABSENT FROM THE NURSERY?
In the event of any absences from the nursery, fees will still be charged as usual.
CAN I SWAP DAYS AT ZIG ZAGS?
Unfortunately, this is not possible. We need to plan staffing needs according to children’s booking patterns and hence need to know in advance how many children will be attending each day. An additional day must be booked where required.
WHAT FUNDING OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT ZIG ZAGS DAY NURSERY?
HOW DO I RAISE A CONCERNS THAT I MIGHT HAVE ABOUT THE NURSERY?
We aim to provide a safe, secure and happy environment for children to prosper and develop. If there are any concerns regarding care or any other aspect of the nursery, please in the first instance raise them with the Nursery Manager. If you feel that the Nursery Manager has not fully addressed your queries and/or concerns, then please e-mail: directors@zigzagsdaynursery.co.uk
We do also like to hear when you are really happy so please tell us all the positives too!
See what people say about us
Zig Zags – A place/home from home. I believe the nursery has been an excellent choice and played
a huge role in her development. Very homely, fantastic staff and my daughter, I trust is well looked
after.
Yvette
My daughter loves Zig Zags nursery and all the carers she is looked after by. As her parents we love
Zig Zags nursery too! We feel very happy and confident and safe when leave her in the care of the
nursery. Everybody is caring, understanding and personable. The nursery is full of very good
advice. We love the balance of play and learning.
Nazma
Having experienced another nursery, I bought my son back to Zig Zags. Zig Zags has provided both
my children with a very warm and friendly environment, to the point where it is like a second home
to them. I would definitely recommend Zig Zags as a nursery to any parent wanting peace of mind
that their child is happy, safe whilst learning so much on daily basis.
Navjot
I am happy with my son’s development. The care at the nursery is great! The staff are very
supportive and provide plenty of encouragement to help my son to reach his milestones. The
nursery is clean which reassures that my son is being cared for in a clean, comfortable and
stimulating environment.
Gertrude
My child has settled in well. He goes to a warm, safe and welcoming room. The staff are
welcoming with a smile. My son enjoys his time at the nursery and his welfare comes first. I watch
on the webcam and can see how well the staff look after him and keep an interest in his
development of learning. They keep me up to date with providing day to day details.
Rani
My daughter started Zig Zags over a year ago after leaving another nursery. On arriving we were
warmly welcomed by friendly staff, shown around and received good information about everything
we needed to know. Within weeks, we saw a considerable improvement in our daughter, not only
in personal development, but education too. She has thrived under their care and attention which
is reflected in her behaviour. She is a happy, independent and confident girl. As parents we have
confidence that our daughter is well taken care of which is very reassuring and she looks forward
to going to nursery. We recommended the nursery to another parent who has subsequently now
registered her son!
Shameem
To Zig Zags
I would like to say thank you for all the support this past year.
You guys have been so warm and welcoming to us. I was very sceptical,
at first when I thought of sending my daughter to nursery.
However, upon meeting all the staff, I must say I was
overwhelmed by how lovely all the staff were alone
with their pure dedication and passion for the children in the nursery
We appreciate you all and Zig Zags is the best nursery.
Jussima
To all the Zig Zags Nursery Staff
Thank you for being there for me and my daughter for guiding her
and showing her the way.
Thank you for having the patients and
support and encouraging my daughter.
Klaudia