HM Government

Help paying for your childcare

Help paying for
your childcare

Government help with childcare costs for parents.

Whether you have toddlers or teens, you could get support.

FIND THE RIGHT OFFER FOR YOU

Look through all the help on offer,
or tell us a bit about you, so we can find the offers that might be best.

Do you live with a partner?

We have picked out below the help that may be available to you, based on your current answers. Look for these signs:

  • Tax-Free Childcare

    Under 12

    Get

    up to

    £2000

    per child

    For families with children under 12 (or under 17 if disabled).

    You need to earn at least £131 a week.

    If you’re earning less than £131 a week but are under 25, or you’re an apprentice, you may still be eligible. 

    You may still be eligible if you will be starting paid work in the next 31 days. 

    You each need to earn at least £131 a week. 

    If you’re earning less than £131 a week but are under 25, or you’re an apprentice, you may still be eligible. 

    You may still be eligible if you and your partner will both be in paid work in the next 31 days.

    Your income is above the threshold for this scheme.

    Your household income is above the threshold for this scheme.

    • For working families, including the self-employed, in the UK
    • Earning under £100k and at least £131 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 now - external link
    Apply now - external link

    You can receive up to £2,000 per child per year - that's up to £500 every three months. If you have a disabled child, you can receive up to £4,000 per child - that's up to £1,000 every three months.

    Am I eligible?

    You, and any partner, must be over 16 and each expect to earn (on average) at least £131 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage). 

    If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or you're unable to work because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities, you could still be eligible. 

    You can't get Tax-Free Childcare if either you, or your partner, each individually expect to earn £100,000 or more.

    How can I use it?

    You can use Tax-Free Childcare all year round to spend on regulated childcare, such as:

    • Childminders, nurseries and nannies
    • Before and after-school clubs and holiday clubs

    For example, if your childcare costs are £750 per month, you would pay £600 into your childcare account and the government would pay in £150. This would be an annual saving of £1,800 per child.

    For a step by step guide on how to apply, click here.

    You can use Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as:

    You can't use it with:

    Childcare
    Calculator - external link
    Get an estimate of how much help you can get with Tax-Free Childcare and other offers.

  • 15 hours free childcare

    Age 2

    For families with 2-year-old children.

    You need to be receiving support.

    You need to be receiving support.

    Your income is above the threshold for this scheme.

    Your household income is above the threshold for this scheme.

    15 hours free childcare for 2 year olds is only available for families in England. However you may be eligible for Funded pre-school education:

    15 hours free childcare for 2 year olds is only available for families in England. However you may be eligible for  Funded early learning and childcare:

    15 hours free childcare for 2 year olds is only available for families in England. However you may be eligible for Flying Start:

    • Flying Start provides childcare to all eligible 2-3 year olds, for 2½ hours a day, 5 days a week for 39 weeks a year. Find out about Flying Start
    • For families in England, 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 about similar schemes in Scotland, Wales / Cymru, and Northern Ireland

    15 hours free childcare for 2 year olds is only available for families in England. However you may be eligible for Funded pre-school education:

    15 hours free childcare for 2 year olds is only available for families in England. However you may be eligible for  Funded early learning and childcare:

    15 hours free childcare for 2 year olds is only available for families in England. However you may be eligible for Flying Start:

    • Flying Start provides childcare to all eligible 2-3 year olds, for 2½ hours a day, 5 days a week for 39 weeks a year. Find out about Flying Start

    Am I eligible?

    To be able to take up 15 hours of free early education for your two-year-old you must meet the eligibility criteria. Please visit GOV.UK for further information.

    Where can I use it?

    It's available at participating:

    • Full day care (e.g nurseries)
    • Schools
    • Childminders
    • Sessional providers (e.g. playgroups)
    • Sure Start Children's Centres

    From 1 January, 1 April or 1 September following your child’s 2nd birthday.

    What isn't covered?

    The 15 hours of free childcare/early education for two-year-olds is not intended to cover the costs of meals, other consumables (such as nappies or sun cream), additional hours or additional activities (such as trips). Providers may charge a fee for these additions. If you choose to pay for these it is an arrangement between you and the childcare provider. However, you must not be required to pay any fee as a condition of taking up a 15 hours place, and must be offered alternative options.

    Full Details

  • 15 hours free childcare

    Age 3 and 4

    For families with 3 and 4-year-old children.

    15 Hours Childcare is only available in England

    In some areas, Flying Start offers childcare to parents of eligible 2-3 year olds, for 2½ hours a day, 5 days a week for 39 weeks a year.

    • 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 about similar schemes in Scotland, Wales / Cymru, and Northern Ireland.

    Am I eligible?

    15 hours of free childcare is available for all families in England. 

    Where can I use it?

    It's available at participating:

    • Full day care (e.g nurseries)
    • Schools
    • Childminders
    • Sessional providers (e.g. playgroups)
    • Sure Start Children's Centres
    • After school clubs

    From 1 January, 1 April or 1 September following your child's 3rd birthday.

    What isn't covered?

    The 15 hours free childcare/early education offer is not intended to cover the costs of meals, other consumables (such as nappies or sun cream), additional hours or additional activities (such as trips). Providers may charge a fee for these additions. If you choose to pay for these it is an arrangement between you and the childcare provider. However, you must not be required to pay any fee as a condition of taking up a 15 hours place, and must be offered alternative options.

    Full Details

  • 30 hours free childcare

    Age 3 and 4

    For families with 3 and 4-year-old children.

    You need to earn at least £131 a week.

    If you’re earning less than £131 a week but are under 25, or you’re an apprentice, you may still be eligible.

    You may still be eligible if you will be starting paid work in the next 31 days. 

    You each need to earn at least £131 a week.

    If you’re earning less than £131 a week but are under 25, or you’re an apprentice, you may still be eligible.

    You may still be eligible if you and your partner will both be in paid work in the next 31 days.

    Your income is above the threshold for this scheme.

    Your household income is above the threshold for this scheme.

    30 hours free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds is only available for families in England. However you may be eligible for Funded pre-school education:

    30 hours free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds is only available for families in England. However you may be eligible for Funded early learning and childcare:

    • Up to 600 hours of funded childcare a year if your child is between 3 and 4 years old.

    You may be able to get more funded hours in your area, or access them earlier. Find out about Funded early learning and childcare

    30 hours free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds is only available for families in England. However you may be eligible for  Foundation Phase:

    • All children in Wales are entitled to a minimum of 10 hours of free, part-time Foundation Phase education in a school, or funded nursery, in the term following their third birthday. Find out about Foundation Phase
    • 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 about similar schemes in Wales / Cymru

    30 hours free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds is only available for families in England. However you may be eligible for  the Childcare Offer:

    • 30 hours a week of government-funded early education and childcare for working parents of three and four year olds, for up to 48 weeks of the year. Find out about the Childcare Offer.
    Childcare
    Calculator - external link
    Get an estimate of how much help you can get with 30 hours free childcare and other offers
    Apply now for a January start - external link
    Childcare
    Calculator - external link
    Get an estimate of how much help you can get with 30 hours free childcare and other offers
    Apply now for a January start - external link

    Am I eligible?

    You, and any partner, must each expect to earn (on average) at least £131 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage). 

    If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or you're unable to work because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities, you could still be eligible.

    You can't get 30 hours free childcare if either you, or your partner, each individually expect to earn £100,000 or more.

    When can my child start?

    Your child can start in their childcare place the term after they turn 3 years old and have received a valid 30 hours code, whichever is later. Term start dates are 1st September, 1stJanuary and 1st April.

    To keep your 30 hours free childcare place you need to check your details are up to date every 3 months.

    Where can I use it?

    It's available at participating:

    • Full day care (e.g nurseries)
    • Schools
    • Childminders
    • Sessional providers (e.g. playgroups)
    • Sure Start Children's Centres
    • After school clubs

    What isn't covered? 

    The 30 hours free childcare offer is not intended to cover the costs of meals, other consumables (such as nappies or sun cream), additional hours or additional activities (such as trips). Providers may charge a fee for these additions. If you choose to pay for these it is an arrangement between you and the childcare provider. However, you must not be required to pay any fee as a condition of taking up a 30 hours place, and must be offered alternative options.

  • Tax credits for childcare

    Under 16 17

    For families with children under 16 (or under 17 if disabled).

    Tax credits are closed to new applications for the majority of people from 1 February 2019.

    You need to be working more than 16 hours a week (£125 a week at the National Minimum Wage).

    If you’re earning less than £125 a week but are under 25, or you’re an apprentice, you may still be eligible. 

    Tax credits are closed to new applications for the majority of people from 1 February 2019.

    Each of you need to be working more than 16 hours a week (£125 a week at the National Minimum Wage).

    If you’re earning less than £125 a week but are under 25, or you’re an apprentice, you may still be eligible. 

    Tax credits are closed to new applications for the majority of people from 1 February 2019.

    Your income is above the threshold for this scheme.

    Tax credits are closed to new applications for the majority of people from 1 February 2019.

    Your household income is above the threshold for this scheme.

    • 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.

    Tax credits are closed to new applications for the majority of people from 1 February 2019.

    How the scheme works

    If you are an existing tax credits customer you can claim back up to 70% of your eligible childcare costs for children under 16 (or under 17 for disabled children).

    Depending on your income, you could get up to £122.50 a week for one child or £210 for two or more.

    You can use tax credits for childcare to help pay:

    • Registered childminders, nurseries and nannies
    • Registered after-school clubs and playschemes
    • Registered schools
    • Home care workers working for a registered home care agency

    What's happening to Tax credits?

    Universal Credit is replacing a number of existing benefits, including tax credits. If you are already receiving tax credits, you don't need to do anything now. 

    If you cannot make a new claim for tax credits, you may be able to apply for Universal Credit instead.

    You can’t claim tax credits at the same time as:

  • Universal Credit for childcare

    Under 16

    For families with children under 16.

    You need to be working. If you're about to start work, you could still be eligible.

    Both of you need to be working. If you're about to start work, you could still be eligible.

    Your income is above the threshold for this scheme.

    Your household income is above the threshold for this scheme.

    • For working families claiming Universal Credit, in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales
    • With children under 17
    • 85% of eligible childcare costs, up to a cap

    Am I eligible?

    You, and any partner, must be working, or you’re due to start work, and are claiming Universal Credit.

    Whether you can claim will depend on where you live and your personal circumstances.

    How can I benefit?

    You can claim back up to 85% of your eligible childcare costs for children under 17. You could get up to £646 a month for one child, or £1,108 for two or more.

    Use an independent benefits calculator to find out what you could get

    You can use it to help pay:

    • Registered childminders, nurseries, and nannies
    • Registered after-school clubs and playschemes
    • Registered schools
    • Home careworkers working for a registered home care agency

    Universal Credit is being phased in over the next few years. It will replace a number of existing benefits, including tax credits.

    If you are already receiving tax credits then you don't need to do anything now.

    You can't claim Universal Credit at the same time as:

    Full Details

  • Support while you study

    You need to be studying.

    One of you needs to be studying.

    You need to be studying.

    One of you needs to be studying.

    Find out more about similar schemes in Scotland, Wales/Cymru, and Northern Ireland

    Find out more about similar schemes in Scotland, Wales/Cymru, and Northern Ireland

    Find out more about similar schemes in Scotland, Wales/Cymru, and Northern Ireland

    • 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

    You could get weekly payments through Care to Learn if you're under 20 at the start of a publicly-funded course, such as a school or sixth form.

    You can apply for Discretionary Learner Support to pay for childcare if you're 19 or over and in further education, for example, if you're studying for an NVQ, BTEC or PGCE.

    You can apply for a Childcare Grant if you're in full-time higher education to pay for childcare costs for children under 15 (or under 17 if they have special needs).