Dear Families and Child Carers,
VCR (Voluntary Childcare Register) and Tax Credits
This is a new Government initiative whereby child carers (not just registered childminders) are able to obtain official approval to work with children aged 0 - 17.
CRB accreditation is an element of the VCR process, along with acquisition of an up-to-date first aid certificate, and basic qualifications. For full
details click the link below.
The scheme was set to become compulsory for all childcare workers from September 2008, but this has not happened. There are numerous
reasons for this, not least the cost of registration (£103-00 per annum - Feb 2010). For more details click here.
If a couple employs a child carer who is registered under VCR and they are both working at least 16 hours per week (or where there is invalidity)
they are entitled to claim tax benefits up to 80% of the cost of the childcare under the 'working tax credit' scheme; the amount depending on their joint
income, the hours of work, the number of children involved, and the average weekly cost of the childcare.
Parallel conditions apply in the case of
single parent families.
Typically, the 'child care element' of the 'tax credit/child benefit scheme' is paid directly to the families bank account, either weekly or monthly
along with the 'working tax element'.
Child carers who register receive a registration number which is given to the family. The family contacts the tax credit office on:
0845 300 3900 and quotes their NI number.
The family is then sent the appropriate forms to complete and once processed they receive an 'award'
which is their entitlement.
CHILD CARER LINK to register for the scheme:
(typing CR1, or CR2, in the search box at the top of the page
will provide access to application forms and information):
VCR application details
Ofsted's helpline: 0300 1231231
FAMILY LINKS to the scheme:
Tax Credit entitlements
Tax Credits payments table
Article by Amanda Coxen, Tinies Childcare :
VCR from a nanny and family perspective
Independent Safeguarding Authority
The new vetting service will be gradually phased in to replace CRB checking. The timescale is such that everyone will need to be ISA registered on
or before the end of 2011.
Latest information on the ISA scheme
DirectGov Childcare Information
DirectGov
Yours sincerely,
The Globalappointments.com team
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