Childcare Vouchers

Although this scheme is now closed to new applicants, some employers still offer Childcare Vouchers to existing members.

If you are already enrolled in a Childcare Voucher scheme, please let us know before your child's start date so we can confirm we are able to accept payments through your provider.

Government Childcare Funding

During your application you will need information such as:

• National Insurance number(s)
• Your child's details.
• Your employment details.
• Your estimated income.
• Your Government Gateway account (or you'll be asked to create one)

If your application is successful, you will receive an eligibility code.

Please send us:

• Your eligibility code
• Your child's date of birth
• Your National Insurance number (or National Asylum Support Service number if applicable)

We will then validate your code with Manchester City Council and claim the funding directly on your behalf.

You do not receive the funded hours payment yourself—the funding is paid directly to Trooping Colours Childminding.

Parents must reconfirm their eligibility approximately every 3 months to continue receiving funded childcare. The Government will send reminder emails before your reconfirmation is due.

Keeping Your Funding Up to Date

In addition to parents reconfirming their eligibility with the Government approximately every three months, Trooping Colours Childminding is also required to reconfirm your funding details with Manchester City Council before each new funding term.

At the start of each funding period (Autumn, Spring and Summer), we will ask you to complete a short funding declaration confirming:

• Your child's details.
• Your current eligibility code (where applicable).
• The number of funded hours you would like to claim with us.
• Whether your child attends any other childcare provider and, if so, how you wish to split your funded hours.
• That your eligibility and personal details remain accurate.

This information allows us to submit our funding claims correctly and ensures your funded childcare continues without interruption.

To help avoid any delays to your child's funding, we kindly ask that all requested forms and information are returned by the deadline provided each term. If we are unable to submit the required information on time, funding may be delayed until the next claim period.

Important Payment Information

Please note that Government funding and childcare support schemes do not change your payment responsibilities under your childcare contract.

Where a Government scheme pays you directly (such as Universal Credit Childcare), you remain responsible for paying your childcare fees to Trooping Colours Childminding by the agreed due date.

Our invoices are issued monthly and payment is due on the final day of each calendar month, regardless of when you receive reimbursement from any Government department or benefit provider.

Late receipt of Government payments does not alter the payment terms set out within your childcare agreement.

If you ever experience financial difficulties or anticipate a delay, please contact us as soon as possible. We will always do our best to work with families wherever we can.

Need Help?

Choosing the right childcare funding can sometimes feel confusing.

If you're unsure which scheme is best for your family, or you'd like help understanding your eligibility, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We'll happily point you in the right direction and explain how the different schemes work.

We're here to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible.