How to use Tax-Free Childcare

For every £8 you pay in, the government will automatically add £2, up to the value of £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 for disabled children)

Check you're eligible

Find out more about eligibility on www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare

You can't use Tax-Free Childcare together with:

  • Tax Credits
  • Universal Credit
  • Childcare Vouchers

Apply for Tax-Free Childcare

Apply at www.gov.uk/apply-for-tax-free-childcare

If eligible, you'll get an online childcare account.

Watch this video to find out more about how to apply.

Select your childcare provider(s)

Your childcare provider(s) must sign up to receive Tax-Free Childcare payments.

Pay money into your childcare account

You can deposit money into your childcare account using a debit card, but it’s quicker by standing order or bank transfer. We’ll add the government top up automatically and you can use this money when it shows as ‘available’.

Pay your childcare provider(s)

Use the money in your childcare account, including the government top up, to make one off or regular payments to your childcare provider(s).

Reconfirm

To continue getting the government top-up, you’ll need to confirm your details are up to date every 3 months. We’ll send a reminder when you need to do this.