Last month, the government announced updates to the statutory guidance for local authorities on early years and childcare in England. These changes aim to improve clarity around additional charges and consumables, ensuring that invoices are more transparent for parents.
What does this mean for childminders and small childcare providers?
- Additional charges must be clearly itemised and voluntary.
- Providers cannot charge ‘top-up’ fees beyond government funding.
- By January 2026, invoices must separately break down free entitlement hours, private paid hours, food charges, and other optional extras.
We understand that these new requirements may add to your administrative workload. However, the good news is that if you are already using digital software with us this already enables you to easily itemise invoices, ensuring compliance with these changes.
At Childminder Accountancy Services, we’re here to support you. If you need help setting up invoicing templates in QuickBooks or understanding how these updates impact your finances, get in touch. We’ll ensure you stay compliant while keeping your admin time to a minimum!
Read more here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-education-and-childcare–2/early-education-and-childcare-effective-from-1-april-2025