Early education funding (EEF) for parents

Help with childcare costs

Funded childcare places are available for families with children aged from 9 months to 4 years old.

Funded early education

More help with childcare costs

You may also be eligible for the following:

Tax free childcare - For children aged between 0-11 years (0-16 for disabled children). For every £8 put in, the government will top up by £2 - for working parents earning on average £167 per week
Tax credits for childcare - For families with children under 16. You could get help with up to 70% of you childcare costs
Universal Credit for childcare - For families with children under 17. You could get help with up to 85% of childcare costs

Support while you learn

Care to learn - For parents aged under 20 years attending sixth form or school
Discretionary learners support - For parents aged 19 or over. Studying for NVQ, BTEC or PGCE
Childcare grant - For parents in full time education such as university who have children under 15 years old (or under 17 years for children with special needs)

Children with special educational needs and disabilities

If your child has special educational needs and disabilities you may be able to receive help with your childcare costs and also additional funding for your childcare setting.

Ukrainian refugees

If you are a Ukrainian refugee, you may be able to receive help with your childcare costs.

Families who have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) when they are 'subject to immigration control'

You will find more information on the early education and childcare page on the NRPF Network website.

Further information

You will find more information on help with childcare costs and how to apply on the government's Childcare Choices website.

You can also find out more about early education and childcare provision including types of provision, finding a provider and how to complain.

Privacy notice for early education funding