If you are thinking of returning to work after having a baby then you are entitled to financial and practical help with childcare:

Parental leave

If you have a child who is under the age of 5 years or a disabled child under the age of 18 then you are entitled to take unpaid time off from work to take care of them. You are entitled to parental leave such as:

• Take 13 weeks off work for each child under the age of 5.
• 18 weeks off work for a child under the age of 18 who is disabled.

Parental leave is different from maternity or paternity leave and is usually unpaid. Parental leave must be taken in full weeks; you can’t for example take the odd day off to take your child to the Doctor’s. You can’t take more than four weeks leave in any one year and must give your employer at least 21 days notice when you want to take parental leave.

Early years education

All children aged 3 and 4 years are entitled to five, two and half daily sessions per week for three terms each year with a registered care provider, the care provider can be a school, nursery or play group

If you work for a large company then they may provide registered early years education within the workplace. You can also choose to use a child minder who is registered as a part of the child minding network.

Working families child tax credit

Child tax credit is a means tested benefit that you may be entitled to if you are a parent of a child in full time education, you may be entitled to receive this benefit if you work for more than 16 hours per week but are on a low income.

The tax credit includes a specific element if you are using registered child care for your child and can help with up to 80% of the cost of your child care. There are limits on the weekly cost of child care and as a rough guide if you pay child care costs for:

• One child – the maximum you could claim is £175 per week.
• Two or more children – the maximum you could claim is £300.

Child maintenance bonus

If you are receiving income support and are receiving child maintenance then you may be eligible for a benefit called the child maintenance bonus, the bonus builds up at £5 per week to a maximum of £1,000 and is paid as a one off lump sump when you find work or you work longer hours and are no longer entitled to income support.

Financial help for young parents

If you are a teenage parent then you may be entitled to financial help if you want to continue your education or training and need help with child care costs. A scheme called the “care to learn scheme” could give you up to £5,000 per year per child for parents up to the age of 20 and who are in education or training.

This benefit is provided to help you with childcare and traveling costs, you must use a registered child minder as your child’s carer and the money will be paid directly to the child care provider.