Childcare vouchers
Oxford Brookes offers staff the opportunity to save money on their childcare through the provision of childcare vouchers. Staff can use childcare vouchers, a scheme operated by kidsunlimited that will save money on the cost of childcare via a simple system involving a reduction in National Insurance and tax contributions.
How does the scheme work?
Childcare vouchers are a type of salary sacrifice scheme that means a member of staff gives up part of their salary in exchange for childcare vouchers. Childcare vouchers are exempt from National Insurance and tax (up to a capped value of £55 per week/£243 per month) so parents will save their National Insurance contribution and tax on the part of their salary they take as vouchers.
The University is obliged to identify what rate of tax an individual employee will pay in any one tax year by carrying out a ‘earnings based assessment’ for any employee who joins the scheme on or after 6 April 2011. This process has been in place since 6 April 2011 due to the changes introduced by the Government. New users who join a voucher scheme after the above date may be restricted in the value of vouchers that they can take.
In real terms, a basic rate taxpayer can receive up to £243 per month/£55 per week in vouchers and can expect to save up to £933 per year; a higher rate taxpayer can receive up to £124 per month/£28 per week in vouchers and can expect to save up to £623 per year; an additional rate taxpayer can receive up to £97 per month/£22 per week in vouchers and can expect to save up to £606 per year.
Employees who already participate in the University childcare vouchers’ scheme on or before 5 April 2011 are not affected by these changes unless they leave the scheme or their employment and retain the current level of savings.
In real terms, if you receive £243 per month in vouchers you can expect to save around £75 per month if you are a basic rate taxpayer or £99 per month if you are a higher rate tax payer.
Oxford Brookes will deduct the amount you take in vouchers from your gross salary in the monthly payroll process and will forward the amount to kidsunlimited, who will then pay your individual childcarer(s) within 4 working days of receiving the payment.
The vouchers can be used for any registered childcare provision – childminders, after school clubs, holiday and activity clubs as well as day nurseries, and nannies who may care for your child up to the age of 16, or aged 16 years if your child has a disability.
Are childcare vouchers right for me?
See our frequently asked questions
What are my payment options?
On the application form you have the choice of four options when signing up to the kidsunlimited Childcare Vouchers Scheme.
Option 1: Flexible account |
You will have access to your very own online account. You can manage the account yourself by making payments and viewing statements. |
Option 2: Automatic payments |
kidsunlimited will make payments to your childcarer’s bank account automatically upon receipt of funds from your employer. |
Option 3: View only |
The same process as Option 2, however you will be able to see all transactions through the online facility that kidsunlimited provide. |
Option 4: Paper vouchers |
kidsunlimited will issue you with a paper voucher. You can use this paper voucher as full or part payment. Your childcare provider will need to redeem the voucher through kidsunlimiteds internet facility, by telephone or email. Please note that this process takes longer for your carer to receive payments. |
Application forms
To apply, you and your childcarer will need to complete a simple agreement form. This needs to be sent directly to kidsunlimited.
Please complete the online application form using password OBU01
If the circumstances do not allow you to apply online please download the application form and send a paper copy to kidsunlimited to the address below.
- Childcare Vouchers application form (PDF, 509KB)
- Childcare Vouchers amendment form (PDF, 717KB)
Contacts
If you have any further queries or require more information please contact Kidsunlimited:
- Helpdesk 0845 365 2999 (8am to 6pm Monday to Friday)
- Fax 0845 365 2198
- Email kuvouchers@kidsunlimited.co.uk
- Address:
Summerfields Village Centre
Dean Row Road
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 2TA
Updated June 2011