Help with childcare costs
Childcare
You might be able to get funded childcare if:
- Your child is 2 years old and your family gets support
- Your child is 3 or 4 years old – you could get 15 or 30 hours a week
- You are a working parent with a child aged 9 months to 4 years
Other ways to get help
You could get help with money for childcare through:
- Tax-Free Childcare – for children aged 0 to 11 (or up to 16 if disabled).
For every £8 you pay in, the government adds £2. - Tax Credits – for children under 16.
You could get help with up to 70% of your childcare costs. - Universal Credit – for children under 17.
You could get help with up to 85% of your childcare costs.
More information on help with childcare costs and how to apply can be found on the government website Best Start in Life.
Help while you study
If you’re learning, you might get:
- Care to Learn – for parents under 20 in school or sixth form
- Discretionary Learner Support – for parents aged 19+ doing NVQs, BTECs or PGCEs
- Childcare Grant – for university students with children under 15 (or under 17 if they have special needs)
