11 August 2006
Update on childcare approval scheme
The number of nannies approved under the childcare approval scheme has reached 2536 as of the first week of August 2006. The average time for an application to be processed from start to finish takes between eight and nine weeks; however, the approvals body is experiencing problems with renewals.
They send out a reminder notice to the nanny 15 weeks before the approval runs out, with a follow-up call one week later. A final reminder is then sent out three weeks later. This should leave ample time, but some nannies wait too long before getting in touch. The child care provided by a childcarer whose approval has lapsed will not be eligible care for the child care element of Working Tax Credit. Employees receiving employer-supported child care (such as child care vouchers) will not be entitled to the tax and NICs exemption until the approval is renewed.