Further to our ongoing updates regarding the roll out of the new Tax-Free Childcare Scheme (TFC), this is to confirm that the Childcare Voucher Scheme (ESC) closed to new joiners on the 4th October 2018.

This includes anyone that has been a previous member of the ESC scheme but has changed employers. However, if an employee has changed employers under a business transfer, that's covered by the Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment (TUPE), they will be eligible to join.

After the 4th October 2018 employees will be permitted to re-join the ESC scheme if they have remained with the same employer and have had a salary deduction taken/voucher issued within the previous 52 weeks. After this period they will be classed as a new joiner and will be unable to re-join the scheme as per HMRC guidelines.

Any employees looking for support with their childcare costs will now need to join the TFC scheme. Further information and a calculator, to help parents understand what government help they might be entitled to, can be found on the Childcare Choices website - https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

We understand that HMRC have done a direct communication to employers, which confirms the closure of the ESC scheme and providers further information for employers. You can find a copy of the communication by clicking here www.fideliti.co.uk/news/informationforemployers.pdf

We are now in the process of reviewing and updating our parent information brochure to reflect the recent changes. We would encourage all employers to reconfirm the re-join rules to employees and we can provide marketing material to support this. Please just let us know if you would like the revised parent information brochure or marketing material sending to you and we will forward it when it becomes available.

If you have any further questions in the meantime, please don't hesitate to contact us.