Tax Free childcare
This is an online account for working parents to help pay for childcare, which is topped up by the Government. For every £8 that you put in, the Government will make a payment of £2 to a maximum of £2,000 per child, per year or £4,000 if your child is disabled. You can have an account for each of your children up to age 12 to pay your childcare provider. You cannot claim both Tax Free Childcare and Universal Credit or the Childcare Element of Working Tax Credit.
Go to Tax-Free Childcare webpage
Tax credits and childcare
You may be able to claim:
- Child Tax Credit - you do not need to be working
- Working Tax Credit - you may be able to claim extra amount to help cover the costs of approved childcare
Universal Credit and childcare
You may be able to claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs if you’re eligible for Universal Credit
You (and your partner if you live with them) will usually need to either:
- be working - it does not matter how many hours you or your partner work
- have a job offer
How much you’ll get
The most you can get back each month is:
- £646 for one child
- £1108 for 2 or more children
You can apply for Universal Credit online
If you stop working
If you stop working you must report a change of circumstances in your Universal Credit account.
Help with childcare while you study
School or sixth form
You could get weekly payments through Care to Learn if you’re under 20 at the start of a publicly-funded course, for example at school or sixth form.
Further Education
You can apply for Learner Support to pay for childcare if you’re 20 or over and in further education, for example studying for an NVQ, BTEC or PGCE.
Full-time Higher Education
You can apply for a Childcare Grant if you’re in full-time higher education to pay for childcare costs for children:
- under 15
- under 17 if they have special needs
Childcare Vouchers and other employer schemes
Information about Childcare Vouchers can be found on the Government website at: Childcare Vouchers webpage
Further information can be found on the Government website at:
Get Childcare webpage
