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 Childcare Choices 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
Get more information and find out how to apply for Care to Learn on GOV.UK.
Early years entitlements
Early years entitlements are for children aged 2 to 4 years. From September 2024, this is expanding to include children aged 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.