What if my childcare requirements change?

  1. If you undergo a significant Lifestyle Change (see Length of time in the Scheme) which results in the need to alter your nursery booking pattern, you can modify the amount you salary exchange. However, if you increase and/or decrease your child's booking pattern for any other reason, you cannot alter your Workplace Nurseries' Salary Exchange Scheme membership due to HMRC regulations.
  2. If you currently do not have the booking pattern you want and are looking to increase your place over the next year, you should consider salary exchanging your current monthly fees and cover any future additional hours by cheque, Direct Debit or using childcare vouchers. Using childcare vouchers for this purpose would enable you to make tax and National Insurance savings on the additional fees. The University has a Childcare Vouchers Salary Exchange Scheme (for existing members only)
  3. If you are planning to decrease the hours you use in the nursery over the next year, consider salary exchanging at the amount you expect to reduce to and cover additional fees in the short-term by cheque, Direct Debit or with childcare vouchers to save tax and National Insurance.
  4. The University's Childcare Vouchers Salary Exchange Scheme is more flexible than the Workplace Nurseries' Salary Exchange Scheme; you can make changes to the amount you claim in vouchers every 3 months and vouchers do not have an expiry date. They continue to be valid for any registered or approved childcare until 1 September after your child's 15th birthday (16th birthday if registered disabled). However, it is important to note that due to HMRC regulations no more than £243 per month can be exchanged with childcare vouchers, depending on your tax status.
  5. If your childcare requirements are likely to change frequently, the Workplace Nurseries' Salary Exchange Scheme may not be appropriate.