KiddiVouchers Childcare Vouchers

Information for Parents

How can I save money by using KiddiVouchers?

You can receive childcare vouchers of up to £55 a week (or £243 a month) from your employer. Childcare vouchers are usually received instead of part of your salary, through a system known as 'Salary Sacrifice'. Unlike your salary, you don't have to pay any tax or national insurance on childcare vouchers. The saving in tax and national insurance is worth up to £1196 a year for each parent, so families can save up to £2391 a year.

How can I get started?

To use KiddiVouchers, you need your employer to offer a KiddiVouchers scheme. If your employer already has a KiddiVouchers scheme, click here to join. Otherwise, click here to register your interest, and we will contact your employer with details of how to set up a scheme.

What types of childcare can KiddiVouchers be used for?

KiddiVouchers can be used to pay for many kinds of childcare, including:

  • Nurseries, pre-school and playgroups
  • Childminders
  • Holiday play-schemes
  • Out-of-hours clubs on school premises run by a school or local authority
  • Nannies and au-pairs*

    KiddiVouchers can be used until the September after your child's 15th birthday (or 16th birthday if your child is disabled).

    How can I check whether my childcare provider is eligible to accept KiddiVouchers?

    When you sign up for KiddiVouchers, we will check that your childcare provider is eligible to receive the vouchers. If you want to check first, ask your carer if they are registered or approved by any of the following authorities:

  • Ofsted (England)
  • The Care Commission (Scotland)
  • The Care Standards Inspectorate (Wales)
  • Local Health and Social Services Trusts (Northern Ireland)
  • Childcare Approval Scheme (no longer accepting new registrations)
  • Childcare Approval Scheme for Wales

    *Can KiddiVouchers be used for nannies, babysitters or care by relatives?

    In England, childcare given in the child's own home by an approved carer or by a carer from a registered agency can be paid for using KiddiVouchers as long as the carer is not a relative of the child. Nannies in England can easily become elible to accept vouchers by registering with the voluntary Ofsted register.

    In Scotland, all childcare agencies including nanny and babysitter services are registered and care provided by agencies in a child's own home is eligible as long as the carer is not a relative of the child.

    In Wales nannies need to be registered with the Childcare Approval Scheme for Wales.

    In Northern Ireland carers need to be registered with their local Health and Social Services Trust.

    Childcare provided by a relative away from the child's home can be paid for with KiddiVouchers as long as the relative is registered or approved and is also caring for unrelated children.

    Will my nursery or carer accept KiddiVouchers?

    Most childcare providers are happy to accept KiddiVouchers. For example, our vouchers are accepted by Asquith Nurseries, Bright Horizons, Busy Bees, Camp Beaumont, Careshare, Childbase, Kidsunlimited, Leapfrog Day Nurseries, Teddies Nurseries and Toad Hall Nurseries.

    When you sign up for KiddiVouchers, we'll ask you for the name and address of your childcare provider. If your carer isn't already on our database, we'll send them a simple registration form on your behalf. In the unlikely event of your childcare provider not accepting KiddiVouchers, we will provide a full refund of your vouchers.

    How can I use KiddiVouchers to pay my childcare provider?

    There are three ways that you can use KiddiVouchers to pay your childcare provider:

  • Regular payments: If you set up a regular payment, we will pay your childcare provider automatically. You can choose how often your carer is paid (eg every week or every month) and you can tell us the date on which the first payment should be made. Please allow three working days for payments to clear in your childcare provider's bank account.

  • One-off payments: You can request a one-off electronic payment from your KiddiVouchers account at any time. The payment will normally be processed within 24 hours and should clear in your carer's bank account within 4 working days.

  • Paper vouchers: If you or your carer prefer to use paper vouchers, then you can print your own vouchers from your KiddiVouchers account. The vouchers will show your name and your childcare provider's name. You can request vouchers of any denomination, up to your account balance. You can also ask us to send you paper vouchers by post or email.

    When should I pay my childcare provider?

    You should ensure your KiddiVouchers payment reaches your childcare provider by the date on which you would normally pay them. For example, if you would normally pay your childcare provider on the 1st of the month then you should request a KiddiVouchers payment at the end of the previous month.

    More information for parents

    A simple guide to salary sacrifice

    Useful links for parents

    Childcare Link
    Sure Start
    Daycare Trust