The information on this page describes the support you can get for childcare costs.
Tax free childcare
Tax free childcare is for:
- for working families, including the self-employed
- for those with children under 16 (or under 17 if disabled)
You can get:
- up to £2,000 per child
- 70% off childcare costs (a maximum limit applies)
Get more information and find out how to apply for tax-free childcare on the Best Start in Life website.
Universal Credit for childcare
Universal Credit for childcare provides up to 85% off eligible childcare costs.
It is for:
- working families claiming Universal Credit in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales
- those with children under 17 (conditions apply)
- those who are not receiving tax-free childcare
Get more information and find out how to apply for Universal Credit childcare costs on GOV.UK.
Support while you study
If you have a child and you are in education, you can get:
- weekly payments from Care to Learn if you are at school or sixth-form college
- help through your college if you are in further education
- a weekly grant if you are in full-time higher education
Find out how to apply for Care to Learn or how to get help with childcare while you study on GOV.UK.
Early years entitlements
Early years entitlements are for children aged from 9 months to 4 years.
You could get up to 30 hours of early years education over 38 weeks a year.
Go to our Early years entitlements page to see details of the support available.