If you (and your partner if you have one) are working, you might get government help with your childcare costs. If you or your partner are unable to work, you could still qualify.
Children must be 16 years old or younger.
What you could get
Depending on your child's age, you might qualify for one or two of these schemes:
- Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit childcare costs and
- up to 15 or 30 hours childcare a week, for children under 5
Types of childcare you can use
You must use providers who have registered with the government to care for children.
This includes registered:
- nurseries
- childminders
- breakfast clubs, after school clubs, holiday clubs and play schemes
Tax-Free Childcare
Tax-Free Childcare is available to working parents who:
- do not get universal credit
- have children aged 11 or under, or 16 or under for children with disabilities.
You can't get this after 1 September following your child's 11th birthday, or 16th birthday if they are disabled.
How it works
You'll need to set up a childcare account if you don't already have one, on GOV.UK.
Key points:
- For every £8 you put into your childcare account, the government adds £2.
- Use this account to pay your childcare provider.
- Not all providers choose to accept Tax-Free Childcare, so ask your provider if they do.
- Parents can get up to £2,000 a year, or up to £4,000 for a disabled child.
- If you have more than one child, you can get this for each of your children.
See Tax-Free Childcare on GOV.UK
Universal Credit Childcare
Universal Credit Childcare is available to working parents who:
- get Universal Credit
- have children aged 16 and under
You can't get this after 31 August following your child's 16th birthday.
How it works
You'll need to pay for the childcare first, then inform Universal Credit. Universal Credit can pay back up to 85% of the cost.
If you cannot pay for the childcare first, you may be able to get help with this.
See Universal Credit Childcare on GOV.UK
30 hours childcare support
Working families can get up to 30 hours of childcare a week, if they have a child aged 9 months or older who hasn't started school yet.
If eligible, your child can start from the term after they turn 9 months old. Terms begin in April, September and January.
How it works
You'll need to set up a childcare account on GOV.UK, if you don't already have one.
Key points:
- Apply through the GOV.UK website.
- If you're eligible, you'll get a code which you need to give to your childcare provider promptly.
- Re-confirm your code every 3 months to keep getting the hours.
- If you remain eligible, your child can get the funding until they start school.
The funding doesn't cover food, nappies, creams, or extra activities like trips. Your provider may charge for these, but you can choose to opt out. Ensure that any charges are clear and agreed upon beforehand.
To find out more about how 30 hours works in Hammersmith and Fulham see Under 5 year olds: 30 hours for working families
Apply now
Apply for free childcare if you are working on GOV.UK
Help to identify what you can get and when
Use the Eligibility checker on the Best Start in Life website to find out which childcare schemes you can access now and in the future.
If you're a student
You may be able to get extra help with your childcare costs from the government, your school, college, university, or training provider.
See Help with childcare costs while you study.
Find childcare to suit you
Being aware of what's out there, and what help is available, can help you find the right childcare.
If you have a child under 5 years old
See our guide to Childcare options for under 5's, which includes information on:
- the different types of childcare providers
- key points before securing childcare
- childcare and funding for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
If you have a child of school age
See our guide Childcare options for school children, which includes information on:
- school breakfast and after school clubs
- free after school and holiday clubs, including for children and young people with SEND
- safeguarding arrangements for holiday clubs