Under 2s
From September 2024, eligible working families with a child aged 9 to 23 months can receive up to 15 hours a week. This will extend to up to 30 hours from September 2025.
To find out what childcare schemes you can access now, and in the future, go to help identifying what you can get and when.
If you are a student, go to help with childcare costs while you study.
2 year olds
Eligible families of 2 year olds currently receiving some form of government support can receive up to 15 hours of childcare a week.
From April 2024, eligible working families of 2 year olds will also be able to receive up to 15 hours. This will extend to 30 hours from September 2025 for working families.
For more information see 2 year old childcare funding.
3 and 4 year olds
All families of 3 and 4 year olds are eligible to receive up to 15 hours of childcare a week. Eligible working families of 3 and 4 year olds can receive an additional 15 hours, totalling up to 30 hours.
For more information see 3 and 4 year old childcare funding.
Schemes for working families
With children aged 11 and under, or 16 for disabled children
Eligible working families can receive Tax-Free Childcare, through an online childcare account which HMRC contribute to. It can be used to pay childcare providers including out of school clubs and play schemes, who have also signed up with HMRC to be part of the scheme. For more information visit Tax-Free Childcare – GOV.UK.
If you get Universal Credit, you will not be able to get Tax-Free Childcare. Instead, you may be eligible for Universal Credit Childcare Costs, which is highlighted below for those with children aged 16 and under.
With children aged 16 and under
If you are working and claim Universal Credit, you may be eligible for Universal Credit Childcare Costs to get some of your childcare costs covered. You can get this until the 31 August after your child’s 16th birthday. For more information visit Universal Credit childcare costs – GOV.UK.
Tax Credits have been replaced by Universal Credit for most people. If you currently claim Tax Credits, see Tax credits: work out your childcare costs - GOV.UK.
Please note, if you have a child under five and are eligible for 15 or 30 hours funding, you can claim this in addition to Tax Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare Costs if you are eligible for them.
To find out what childcare schemes you can access now, and in the future, see Help identifying what you can get and when.
Schemes for students
If you are a student, you may be able to receive support with your childcare costs from the government, your school, sixth form, college, university or training provider. Visit Help with childcare costs while you study.
Childcare vouchers and directly contracted childcare
‘Childcare Vouchers’ and ‘Directly Contracted Childcare’ have now closed to new applicants. If you previously joined one of these schemes and need further support visit Help paying for childcare: Childcare vouchers and other employer schemes – GOV.UK.
Help identifying what you can get and when
Use the eligibility checker on the Childcare Choices website to find out what childcare schemes you can access now, and in the future, including 15 or 30 hours, tax-free childcare or Universal Credit childcare costs.
You will also be able sign up to receive updates on how and when to apply for support with your childcare costs.