Paying for childcare can be one of the most expensive items in your monthly budget. It can also stop many parents going back into the workplace. The Childcare Choices Website can help you find out what you are entitled to and how you can save money on your childcare costs. Try using the Childcare Costs Calculator to see what you could be entitled to. Take a look and find the right offer for your family.
Tax-free childcare – children aged 0-11 (0-16 if your child is disabled)
- For working families, including the self-employed, in the UK
- Earning under £100k and at least £152 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage) each
- Who aren’t receiving Tax Credits, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers
- With children aged 0-11 (or 0-16 if disabled)
- For every £8 you pay into an online account, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year
- Apply here
Help if your child is 2 years old
Some families in in England, are entitled if they are receiving some forms of support
- With 2-year-old children
- 15 hours of free childcare or early education for 38 weeks
- To be able to take up 15 hours of free childcare for your two-year-old you or your child must meet the eligibility criteria. Please visit GOV.UK for further information.
- A total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider
- Some providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week
- Find out more here
Find out more about similar schemes in Scotland, Wales / Cymru, and Northern Ireland
Help if your child is 3-4 years old – All families
All families are entitled to 15 hours free childcare per week
- For all families in England
- With 3 and 4-year-old children
- 15 hours of free childcare or early education for 38 weeks
- A total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider
- Some providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week
- Find out more here
Find out more about similar schemes in Scotland, Wales / Cymru, and Northern Ireland.
Help if your child is 3-4 years old – Working families
All families are entitled to 15 hours free childcare per week
- For working families in England
- With 3 and 4-year-old children
- 30 hours of free childcare or early education for 38 weeks
- A total of 1,140 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more
childcare provider - Some providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week
- Find out more here
Find out more about similar schemes in Wales / Cymru
Tax Credits for childcare – children 0-15 (0-16 if your child is disabled)
- For working families, in the UK
- With children under 16 (or under 17 if disabled)
- 70% of childcare costs, up to a cap
- If you cannot make a new claim for Tax Credits, you may be able to apply for Universal Credit instead.
- Find out more here
Universal Credit for childcare – children 0-16
- For working families claiming Universal Credit, in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales
- With children under 17*
- Up to 85% of eligible childcare costs
- Who aren’t receiving Tax-Free Childcare
- Find out more here
Support when you are studying
- Weekly payments from Care to Learn if you’re at school or sixth-form college
- Help through your college if you’re in further education
- A weekly grant if you’re in full-time higher education
- Find out more here
