childcare+
Members of staff have the opportunity to save on the cost of childcare through tax and NI exemptions (within specified limits) - parents or legal guardians can take advantage of childcare+.
How it works
Parents or guardians sign up for childcare vouchers for use with Ofsted registered childcare providers.
By agreeing to give up some of your gross contractual salary in exchange for childcare vouchers, you will pay less tax and NI and increase your take-home pay.
childcare+ covers children up to 1 September following the child's 15th birthday, or following the 16th birthday if they are disabled.
For further information, please refer to Fideliti's website or Parent Information Brochure. You can contact Fideliti on 0800 288 8727 or zoe.colley@fideliti.co.uk
When using the Fideliti website, please quote our Employer Scheme Reference DUR1270.
You can choose how you receive and use your vouchers. If you use the paper scheme, you will receive paper vouchers to your home address each pay day, or you can use an e-vouchers/electronic scheme, where you have access to a 'virtual account' online. You can also select Auto-Pay Vouchers which enable you to specify a date and payment amount for automatic payments to your childcare provider each month. You can choose to receive up to the current maximum amount (currently £243 or £124 of vouchers per month).
You can vary the extent to which you receive childcare vouchers every month if you wish - you need to inform Fideliti by the 4th of the month.
By introducing this arrangement, Durham University is committed to making the scheme as flexible as possible. There is no minimum or maximum term stipulated by the University, however payment for vouchers cannot be backdated.
If you have any questions, please contact the relevant HR Manager for your Division.
What happens next?
If you would like to take advantage of childcare+, please contact Fideliti for more details and an application form or log onto their website.
Please also refer to the FAQs on childcare+.
Change in your terms and conditions of employment
Please note that by participating in childcare+, you are agreeing to a change in your terms and conditions of employment.
Please notify Fideliti immediately if your personal circumstances change (for example you withdraw your child from Nursery or from an approved scheme) as it may not be possible to refund vouchers once they have been issued.
Other useful information
From February 2011, our scheme provider changed to Fideliti. Any unused vouchers from Computershare (previously Busy Bees) can still be used to pay for approved childcare.
From 6th April 2011, childcare voucher legislation changed for higher rate tax payers. Under the new rules all members joining the scheme after the 6th April 2011 undergo an earnings assessment to determine their tax bracket. Basic rate taxpayers continue to enjoy their current entitlement (£243) while higher rate tax payers joining after 6th April are eligible to receive £124 per month in vouchers. If a higher rate tax payer joined the scheme prior to the deadline, they are eligible to receive £243 per month in vouchers. For further information relating to the change, please visit the HMRC website.
