How to 削減（する） your childcare costs

By THIS IS MONEY
Updated: 16:20 BST, 28 January 2010

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によれば the Daycare 信用's Childcare 報告（する）／憶測 the typical cost of a 十分な-time nursery place for a child under two in England is £167 a week - over £8,500 a year - and in some parts of the country costs can 越える £20,000.

In Scotland the 普通の／平均（する） cost is £158 a week, while in むちの跡s it's £146.

And after school club have a hefty price tag too, 普通の／平均（する）ing £40 for 15 hours a week in England, £49 in Scotland, and £41 in むちの跡s.

To 緩和する the 苦痛, and there are a number of 選択s 利用できる to working mums and dads to help them 削減（する） costs.

Five steps to 抑制（する） your childcare costs:

?? Make sure you enrol for childcare 保証人／証拠物件s

If your 雇用者 申し込む／申し出s childcare 保証人／証拠物件s, make sure you're a member of a 計画／陰謀 and getting the most value from your entitlement.

These 保証人／証拠物件s can be used on all types of care 含むing nursery, after-school activities and even に向かって 搭乗 school.

A family where both parents work, for example, could save up to £1,808 if they are both on basic 率 税金, or up to £2,390 if both are in higher 税金 bracket.

- More （警察などへの）密告，告訴（状） on childcare 保証人／証拠物件s.

?? Check out enhancements to your childcare 保証人／証拠物件 計画／陰謀

Many childcare 保証人／証拠物件 providers also 申し込む／申し出 従業員s who use their 保証人／証拠物件s the 適切な時期 to save more money when it comes to High Street and supermarket shopping.

計画／陰謀s such as Advantages - which are automatically 申し込む／申し出d to working parents that take Accor Services' childcare 保証人／証拠物件s - can help families save up to 7.5% on their shopping at a host of high street 蓄える／店s.

?? Don't lose out in an 緊急

Don't sacrifice a day's 給料 or your 模範的な 出席 記録，記録的な／記録する if your childcare 計画（する）s 落ちる through.

Find out if your 雇用者 申し込む／申し出s an 従業員 援助 programme, or childcare advice line that can help put you in touch with 代案／選択肢 解答s.

?? Find out about 解放する／自由な childcare for children 老年の three and four years

Three and four-year-olds in England are する権利を与えるd to a 小型の mum 12.5 hours of 解放する／自由な learning per week for 38 weeks of the year. This can take place in nurseries, playgroups, preschools or at their child minders.

This will rise to 15 hours a week from 2010, 配達するd flexibly over a 最小限 of three days. - Find その上の （警察などへの）密告，告訴（状） here.

?? 確認する if you're 適格の for 税金 credits

調査／捜査する if you are 適格の for the childcare element of the Working 税金 Credit. If you are you could receive help に向かって the costs of 適格の childcare services.

You can check your 適格（性） quickly and easily online - for more （警察などへの）密告，告訴（状） on how 税金 credits work and on how to check if you are 適格の, check out This is Money's guide and The Day Care 信用.