If you’re hoping to access the government’s funded childcare hours, there’s one number that matters more than most: £100,000 net adjusted income.
Go even slightly over, and you lose the support entirely.
That’s the situation one parent found herself in. Her base salary was under the threshold, but once her bonus and RSUs (restricted stock units) were included, she was at risk of tipping over.
It’s a situation I see often, especially among women in professional roles where bonuses, shares and benefits can quietly push income higher than expected.
When she reached out, she was on maternity leave, juggling nap schedules and statutory pay, and unsure where to even begin. But with one focused session, she left with clarity, a plan, and the potential to save thousands in childcare costs next year.
So what actually helped?
We didn’t do anything wildly complex. What made the difference was:
- Understanding how net adjusted income is calculated
- Seeing how salary sacrifice (like pension contributions) can bring that figure down
- Mapping out month-by-month income, including variable elements like RSUs
- Building in a buffer to allow for fluctuating share prices
- Creating a simple, easy-to-update spreadsheet to track it all
She could then approach the next funding application with confidence, not crossed fingers.
Why this matters (even if you’re not “on £100k”)
If your salary is around £80–90k, it’s easy to assume you’re comfortably under the line. But once you factor in company shares, bonuses, or taxable benefits like private healthcare, you might be closer than you realise.
What’s frustrating is how little support there is to help people navigate this. You’re expected to know the rules, understand the calculations, and somehow also work out the best course of action, all while managing the realities of early parenthood.
The good news? With the right information, it’s totally possible to make this work.
This isn’t about gaming the system, it’s about understanding it
When we spoke, she shared something I hear often:
“I’m the first person in my family to earn this way. I’ve never been shown how to manage it.”
If that resonates you’re not alone.
This is about using what’s available to you to make confident, informed decisions for your family. I don’t want you to lose out because you didn’t realise something just tips you over the 100k.
What if you could feel clear, not chaotic?
Ahead of the session you input your details, I work through them to explain what your situation is during our hour together on Zoom. One spreadsheet and a whole new level of calm.
That’s what these Childcare Strategy Sessions are for. Not just theory but practical, personalised clarity on what’s going on and what you can do next.
If you’re feeling unsure about:
- What actually counts toward the £100k net adjusted income threshold
- How your pension contributions or RSUs are impacting things
- What to submit (and when) for your next childcare funding application
…this session is for you.
You don’t need to figure it out alone. You just need support that speaks to your life. Book in here.
If you want to explore more deep work then book in a discovery call here.
