Childcare Funding

The Government offers a range of childcare funding options to parents in the UK.  To find out about the childcare options for available for you go through to the 'Childcare Choices' website. If you need any help with understanding childcare funding, please call our team and we will be happy to assist you.

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A brief list and description is for each is available below:

15 Hours Free Childcare (Aged 2):

Families in England, receiving some forms of support with 2-year-old children can claim up to 15 hours of free childcare or early education a week.

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15 Hours Free Childcare (Aged 3 & 4):

All families in England with 3 and 4-year-old children can claim 15 hours of free childcare or early education a week.

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30 Hours Free Childcare (Aged 3 & 4):

Eligible working families in England with 3 and 4-year-old children can claim an extra 15 hours a week of free childcare, 30 hours in total.  Parents of children born on or after 1st September 2012 can apply now, see our guide here.

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Tax-Free Childcare (Age 0-11 or up to 16 if disabled):

Available for working families, including the self-employed, in the UK, with children under 12 (or under 17 if disabled).  For every £8 you pay in, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year - that's up to £500 every three months. Parents of children born on or after 1st April 2013, and parents of disabled children, can apply now.

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Tax credits for childcare (Age 0-15 or up to 16 if disabled):

For working families, in the UK with children under 16 (or under 17 if disabled).​  If you are entitled to Working Tax Credit, and you and any partner are working at least 16 hours a week each, you can claim back up to 70% of your eligible childcare costs for children under 16 (or under 17 for disabled children). Depending on your income, you could get up to £122.50 a week for one child or £210 for two or more.

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Universal Credit for childcare (Age 0-15):

For working families claiming Universal Credit, in England, Scotland and Wales, with children under 16 can claim 85% of eligible childcare costs, up to a cap.  If you, and any partner, are working, or you’re due to start work, and you’re claiming Universal Credit, you can claim back up to 85% of your eligible childcare costs for children under 16. You could get up to £646 a month for one child, or £1,108 for two or more.

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Childcare vouchers (Age 0-15 or up to 16 if disabled):

For working families, in the UK with children under 16 (or under 17 if disabled) can claim up to £933 a year in tax and National Insurance savings.

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Support while you study:

Weekly payments from Care to Learn if you’re at school or sixth-form college or a a weekly grant if you’re in full-time higher education.