Help paying for childcare

Financial support for you and your family

There are many different kinds of financial support available to help pay for childcare. Whether you are working full-time, part-time or are self-employed, you may be able to get help towards your childcare costs. This will depend on your circumstances. We have listed the support available below.

If you would like further advice or information about paying for childcare or about your rights when returning to work contact our family information team:

All families
Working families
Families who receive some additional forms of support
Parents who are studying
Families living with disabilities or special educational needs

All families

Child benefit

All parents and carers, whatever their income and savings can claim Child Benefit. It is usually paid for each child under 16 (or under 20 if in education or training). The amount depends on the age of the child, but is usually paid every 4 weeks.

Funded childcare 

All three and four year olds are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare each week for 38 weeks of the year. There are many funded childcare options available to support your family life, each with its own eligibility requirements and application steps. See our funded childcare for 3 and 4 year olds guide for further information.

Universal Credit

The amount you get will depend on how much you earn and what other income or savings you have, but you do not need to be working to claim. You get a basic amount and additional amounts (known as elements) on top of this. Money is paid monthly directly into your bank or building society account.

If you are already receiving "legacy" tax credits (Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit), you may wish to consider changing to Universal Credit instead.

Warning: Some people could be worse off of on Universal Credit. Please read about moving to Universal Credit from other benefits before making a new Universal Credit claim if you are currently receiving other benefits.

Working families

30 hours Childcare

By September 2025, most working families with children under 5 will be eligible for 30 hours childcare support per week. Stay up to date with the upcoming expansion to childcare support with the Childcare Choices newsletter for parents.

Working parents are eligible if they earn from 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage and up to £100,000 adjusted net income per year. 

Get further details and claim your childcare entitlement code on the Childcare Choices website.

Depending on your provider, these hours can be used:

  • Over 38 weeks of the year (during school term time)
  • Or up to 52 weeks if you use less than 15 hours per week.

Tax-Free Childcare

If you’re a working parent or carer, you can get up to £500 every three months (up to £2,000 a year per child) to help with the costs of childcare. If your child has a disability, you can get up to £1,000 every three months (up to £4,000 a year per child).

You can use it to pay for childcare including:

  • childminders, nurseries, pre-schools and nannies
  • playschemes, before and after school clubs, and holiday clubs

Check with your childcare provider to see if they’re signed up.

How it works

You set up an online childcare account for your child. For every £8 you pay into this account, the government will pay in £2, up to a maximum of £2,000 a year (or £4,000 if your child has a disability). You can then use the money to pay your childcare provider.

You need to reconfirm your eligibility for Tax-Free Childcare every three months. You’ll get a text reminder and it’s easy to do through your online childcare account.

Eligibility

To get Tax-Free Childcare, you need to be working at least 16 hours a week, earning at least the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage. This includes being:

  • self-employed
  • on maternity or parental leave
  • on sick leave or annual leave. Your child is eligible until the September after their 11th birthday, or until their 17th birthday if they have a disability.

Each parent or carer can earn up to £100,000 per year and still be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare. Your eligibility doesn’t depend on how much tax you pay, so it won’t affect your income tax liability or any other tax, like VAT.

You can’t claim Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit or Universal Credit.

Find out more

To check if you are eligible, and to apply today use the government's step by step guide or call 0300 123 4097.

For more information see these websites:

Childcare element of Universal Credit

Parents and carers who work (there is no minimum number of hours) and pay for Ofsted registered childcare may be entitled to the childcare element of Universal Credit. It can be worth up to 85% of your childcare costs depending on your income and the cost of your childcare.

Childcare vouchers

If you work, make national insurance contributions and pay income tax, your employer may offer you childcare vouchers to help with childcare costs. They could be in return for a reduction in your pay - known as a salary sacrifice.

Childcare vouchers may affect the amount of tax credits you can get.

  • www.hmrc.gov.uk/calcs/ccin.htm This online calculator can help you decide whether - overall - you would be better off taking childcare vouchers or not.

Families who receive some additional forms of support

15 hours early learning is available for families with a child aged 2 and receiving additional support such as Universal Credit or whose child has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. See our funded childcare for 2 year olds guide for additional information.

Parents who are studying

Care to Learn

Teenage parents aged under 20 are entitled to help from care to learn. This includes financial support for the costs of your childcare so that you can continue your education or training. Childcare costs are paid direct to the childcare provider.

Discretionary Learner Support

Students aged 19 or over who are attending a further education college can apply for Discretionary Learner Support. This can help with accommodation, travel, course materials and equipment.

You must be 20 or over to get help with childcare costs. If you’re 19, you can apply for Care to Learn instead.

You can apply at your college by speaking to the student support or welfare officer.

Hardship fund/bursaries

Students facing extreme financial difficulties may be able to apply for a hardship fund/bursary. Some colleges and universities offer this help if you're facing extreme financial difficulties. They are usually one off payments that you do not have to repay. Speak to the student services or welfare officer at your university.

Childcare Grant

Full time students with a child aged up to 15 (or 17 if your child has special needs) can apply for a Childcare Grant. It is based on your personal circumstances. The grant can cover up to 85% of your registered childcare costs for 52 weeks of the year and is paid in three instalments and does not have to be repaid. You cannot get this grant if you claim the childcare element of Working Tax Credit.

  • Student finance: 0845 300 5090

Parents' Learning allowance

Full time students can apply for Parents' Learning Allowance. It supports you with course related costs such as childcare, travel, books, and equipment. The amount you receive will depend on your circumstances and is paid in three instalments alongside your student loan. You will not have to repay it.

  • Student finance: 0845 300 5090

Access to Learning Fund

Full and part time students may apply for an Access to Learning Fund which is available through your university or college. It provides extra financial support to help you stay on a course if the Childcare Grant does not cover all the costs of your childcare. The amount you receive will depend on your circumstances. Speak to the student services or welfare officer at your university or college.

Professional and Career Development Loans 

Professional and Career Development Loans are available to students aged 18 or over who are on a vocational course. It covers two years of study whilst you are in education or job related training - plus up to one year's practical experience, if this is part of the course. It can be used to pay for childcare costs.

Educational or charitable trusts funding

Full and part time students aged 16 or over are able to apply for educational or charitable trusts funding. It provides limited funding for individual students.

NHS student grants and bursaries

Students studying an NHS accredited course may apply for a NHS Student Grant or Bursary. They are a range of bursaries, fee payments and grants. Some are based on your income and savings, some are not.

Families living with disabilities or special educational needs 

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

This is a cash benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions to help with the extra costs of looking after a child, aged under 16,  who has difficulties walking, or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability.

Personal Independence Payment

Personal Independence Payment is available for people aged 16 to state pension age with a long term health condition or disability. You’ll need an assessment to work out the level of help you get. It is a cash benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions for people who have a disability and need help with personal care (daily living component), getting around (mobility component) or both. Decisions are based on how your condition affects you, not the condition you have.

  • New claim line: 0800 917 2222
  • Text phone: 0800 917 7777
  • Visit www.gov.uk/pip

Direct payments for adults or children with a disability

Direct payments for adults or children with a disability provides money to pay for services and equipment personally, instead of having them arranged by your local authority. These payments may be provided by social services after an assessment process.

  • Direct Payments Support Service: 01772 535 683

If you already receive social care services and would like to receive direct payments: 0300 123 6720.

If you need independent help with your caring role and want to talk to someone about the options available to you call carers direct helpline: 0808 802 0202.

Disabled child element of Universal Credit

Disabled child element may be available to you if you receive Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment for your child, Personal Independence Payment has stopped for your child because they are a patient in hospital or your child is registered (or certified) as blind, or has come off the blind register in the last 28 weeks. It provides extra support if you are claiming Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment for your child.

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