How to find the right childcare for you

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When you're thinking about childcare, it's important to research each option thoroughly.

Work out how many childcare hours/days you'll need a week and think about whether you'll need flexible arrangements. Are you looking for childcare facilities close to home or work? How much can you afford to pay? Ask other parents about their experiences.

Don't be afraid to ask your childcare provider questions, and visit as many as you can to get a good feel for what's on offer in your area.

Know your rights

Both parents now have the right to ask their employer for flexible working hours, and for that request to be seriously considered. Dads can now take paternity leave, and the arrangements for maternity leave and pay have been simplified.

Around five million families with incomes below £58,000 a year will receive the new Child Tax Credit. During your child's first year, this ceiling is raised to £66,000. Working Tax Credits are for families on low incomes and can include support for qualifying childcare, you can get back up to 70% of your costs.

The current average award through the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit is £51.21 a week. However, there's no extra help for parents with three or more children. You can also join the childcare voucher scheme, which entitles you to tax-free childcare costs of up to £55 a week.

- Next: what are your options?