CHILDCARE providers, such as nurseries, pre-schools, childminders and other childcare settings such as before and after school clubs and holiday schemes – relied on by tens of thousands of working parents across Devon – are struggling.

Some are at risk of closing as rising energy prices, and increased staff costs combined with difficulties recruiting qualified staff are all taking their toll.

And now many childcare providers are faced with having to raise fees to offset these additional costs.

That’s likely to hit parents hard, with household bills rising and money to buy the basics, like food and heating, already stretched.

The Government’s Tax-Free Childcare scheme helps working parents with children aged 11 or younger, or up to 16 if the child has a disability, pay for childcare so that they can work.

With it, families receive 20 per cent top-up on childcare costs up to a total of £2,000 per year per child, or up to £4,000 for a disabled child.

Put simply, for every £8 paid into their childcare account by a parent, the Government tops it up by an additional £2.

It can be used to pay towards costs including nursery, childminders, pre-schools, breakfast clubs after school clubs, holiday schemes, and wraparound care.

And it can be used at the same time as 30 hours free childcare for three or four-year-olds if parents are eligible for both.

But despite the savings available, hundreds of thousands of families in the UK are missing out.

It’s estimated that around 1.3 million families are eligible to receive the support, and yet only around 800,000 are using it.

Ninety two percent of childcare providers in Devon are registered to accept Tax Free Childcare, and Devon County Council is encouraging more to do so.

Parents can find childcare on Pinpoint Devon and check at the same time whether providers are registered for Tax Free Childcare.

The council’s Early Years and Childcare team can help parents to find childcare if they are struggling, with a form available on the council’s website for parents to request support.

For more information, visit our webpages about Paying for childcare.

Alternatively, email the council’s Early Years and Childcare Service on [email protected]