Tax credits proposal to boost child care

Parents will be able to claim tax credits to contribute towards
child care provided by nannies under proposals announced this
week.

The government plans will also create a regulation system for
nannies and child care for over-sevens.

Carers will have to meet minimum criteria of training and
suitability. The system will also allow parents to check that
carers have been approved.

The child care element of the working tax credit can only be used
for approved child care.

But children’s charity 4Children criticised the proposals for not
making approval compulsory.

Stephen Burke, director of child care charity Daycare Trust, said:
“Light-touch accreditation is designed to enable parents to get tax
credits and tax breaks. Why isn’t the current regulatory system
simply extended to all forms of child care?”