Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 37
37
Accepted in Part
Review adequacy of childcare support for self-employed mothers, including tax deductibility and flexibility.
Recommendation
The Government should undertake a review of the adequacy of existing childcare support for self-employed mothers. That review should consider: the potential merits of making childcare a tax-deductible expense, if only 58 for an initial period; expanding free hours of childcare to include services, such as nannying, that can cover the period from 0–3 months, when most nurseries do not accept babies; how to encourage more flexible childcare services; and making support, such as tax relief or pension credits, available to encourage family members other than parents to undertake childcare and relieve some of the burden borne by the mother. (Recommendation, Paragraph 138) Financial education and enterprise skills
Government Response Summary
The government confirms the Department for Education will lead a review of childcare provision to simplify the system and highlights existing Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) for self-employed parents. However, it does not explicitly commit the review to the specific considerations for self-employed mothers, such as tax-deductibility or 0-3 month nannying, and states no current plans to regulate nannies.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
As set out in the Budget, the Department for Education will lead a review of childcare provision. The purpose of this review is to simplify the system for providers and families, making it easier to access childcare and increasing the overall impact of the government’s offer. We are committed to a childcare system that is clear, fair and helps parents balance work and family life. Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) reduces the cost of childcare so that parents, including those who are self-employed, can enter work, stay in work and increase their hours. Under the scheme, for every £8 paid into an account by parents, the Government contributes an additional £2, up to £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 for disabled children). Support is available until the child reaches age 11, or age 16 if disabled, for families who meet the same income criteria as the Free Childcare for Working Parents offer. TFC can pay for a wide range of approved childcare, including childminders, nurseries, nannies, after-school clubs, play schemes and holiday clubs, ensuring support is flexible and can be adapted to families’ different circumstances. In 2026–27 the Department for Education expect to provide over £9.5 billion for the early years entitlements. More than doubling government investment in the early years sector since 2023–24 through the successfully rolled-out expansion of government-funded childcare for working parents, which will save parents up to £7,500 a year on average. We want all parents with primary-aged children, who need it, to be able to access childcare around the school day. This is why the National Wraparound Childcare programme has improved the availability of childcare so that many more parents have been able to access before and after school childcare, from 8am to 6pm, without them needing to make alternative arrangements. We also recognise the hugely important contribution nannies make to the childcare sector. While we do not currently plan to regulate nannies, as they are employed by parents at home and therefore are an unregulated part of the sector, over the coming months we will set out our plans for reform, including for nannies. Officials will remain in touch with the National Nanny Association (NNA), and we are following with interest the NNA’s petition on the Parliamentary website regarding DBS checks for nannies.