Childcare Affordability Programme (CAP)

 The Childcare Affordability Programme (CAP) will provide central support to parents, children and childcare providers across all of London's boroughs.

The CAP was formed in 2005 as part of a three year funding package with the London Development Agency (LDA) and the Government's Sure Start unit.

Through the provision of subsidised day care places, the programme aims to make childcare in the capital affordable, flexible and of greater quality whilst assisting parents to stay in or return to full time or part time employment.

In total some 10,000 affordable and flexible childcare places have been created through directly subsidising Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) registered and approved childcare providers.

CAP will subsidise a range of childcare places through LDA and SureStart funding to meet the needs of lower income families in London.

The Childcare Affordability Programme operates with two phases.

Phase 1 (children aged 0 to 5 years old)

For Phase 1 parents must have at least one child aged 0 to 5 years and be in receipt of the Child Tax Credit, at a higher rate than the family element (this means more than £545.34 for 2008 to 2009).

Phase 1 offers parents cheaper, subsidised places at participating (OFSTED registered) nurseries across London. Parents can also use NCMA Approved childminders on this scheme (Borough dependent).

Full day care places

The CAP programme will provide a subsidy of up to £30 a week to bring the cost of the place down to £175 a week enabling parents to maximise childcare tax credits.

Flexible hours

There is also further subsidy - of up to £68 a week - for those that require flexible childcare provision. This recognises the childcare needs of parents outside of the traditional full day core hours, for example places to meet the needs of part time workers, early mornings, after 18:00 and weekends.

Phase 2 (children aged 0 to 14 years old)

Phase 2 of the programme is for parents who are looking for employment, starting employment or parents on vocational training leading to employment.

This phase is aimed at reducing the cost of childcare for:

• Children with disabilities or special educational needs
• Parents who require emergency childcare (as they are at risk of losing employment/training)
• Supporting home-based care
• Addressing childcare as a barrier to employment and training.

The child can up to 14 years old, the age limit was increased on Phase 2 to address the problems parents face with obtaining wrap-around care.

How do you find out if there is a childcare subsidy for you

If you are a parent and you want to access a subsidised childcare place in London or a provider looking for further information please call free on Tel: 0800 587 7115 (from a mobile call 0207 490 1554). Alternatively you can email glecap@gle.co.uk with any queries.

Parents who require child care should phone their local Family Information Service to find further information. These are based in the community and have information on all local childcare, early education and other care and support services for children and parents.

All 33 London boroughs have a Family Information Service. They will be able to give you lists of childcare providers who have vacancies, the different sort of childcare available and financial assistance. They also have a responsibility to promote the Childcare Affordability Programme so if you ask they will let you know where places are available.