Help with childcare costs
Can I get with childcare costs?
Funded Early Years education is available to some two year olds and all three and four year olds in the following settings:
- school nursery classes
- state or private nursery schools
- day nurseries or pre-schools
- approved childminders
What are the childcare cost support options?
The following list provides information on the range of support that may be available to you:
- Childcare Choices can help you check what support you may get whether you have toddlers or teens.
- You can receive Child Benefit if you are responsible for a child under 16 or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training.
- Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you are on a low income or out of work. Whether you can claim Universal Credit depends on where you live and your circumstances. You can get help with your childcare costs for two children.
- Tax-Free Childcare is a savings account scheme that offers working families government support towards qualifying (approved) childcare costs.
- Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits closed on 5 April 2025 and have been replaced by Universal Credit.
Employees should seek advice from their employer about
- Childcare voucher schemes (now closed for new applicants)
- Employer subsidised childcare
- National Health Service employees childcare allowance
Students should talk to their college, sixth form or university about the funding that is available
- Care to Learn
- Discretionary Learner Support
- 16 - 19 Bursary Fund
- Advanced Learner Loan
- Higher Education Childcare Grant
- Parents' Learning Allowance
- National Insurance Credits for adults who care for a child under 12. National Insurance credits may help to fill in any gaps in your National Insurance record - this can mean that you will still get the full State Pension and other benefits
- The Care To Learn scheme is available to people under 20 and studying