The summer
holidays are fast approaching; many parents find the forthcoming six weeks a
stressful and expensive time. Parents
need to consider how much time they can have off work, what childcare is
available and how much childcare and holiday activities will cost.
There are a
wide range of childcare options available for the summer holidays, for children
of all ages. There are summer camps,
holiday schemes, play groups, child minders, nurseries and out of school
clubs.
All of these
are fun and exciting; children can experience activities they would not usually
experience. Sending children to summer
camps and holiday schemes will help to encourage children to engage and
experience working in groups with new children, take part in events and shows
and encourage them to explore and discover new skills.
Knowing
there is suitable childcare options will give parents the peace of mind they need
when considering summer holiday childcare. However, the cost of sending
children to camps and holiday schemes is an important factor. Did you know you can use your childcare vouchers, taken as a salary sacrifice via your employer, to pay for the cost of most summer childcare
options? Parents can exchange up to £243
per month, which is non-taxable and national insurance exempt, from their
salary. They will then receive childcare
vouchers to use to pay for their chosen childcare.
Using
childcare vouchers can save working parents up to £933 per year from the cost
of their childcare. Both parents can
join a childcare voucher scheme, increasing potential savings to over £1800 per
year. Be money savvy; if you intend to
send your child to a camp or holiday scheme in the following year, you can save
up childcare vouchers to pay for the costs.
Do you want to save more?
Busy Bees
are campaigning to raise the weekly childcare voucher cap from £55 to £75 per
week to help parents save more on the cost of their childcare. Raising the cap will increase savings per
parent to over £1200 per year. If you
want to save more sign the Busy Bees e-petition
to help persuade the government to increase the cap.
