Help with childcare costs
The government has a package of support available to help families with the cost of childcare. This includes:
Funded early education
- 2 year old funded hours - Working parent entitlement
- 2 year olds - Families receiving additional support
- 3 and 4 year olds - 15 hours and 30 hours for working parents
Coming soon
- From September 2024 - Up to 15 hours for eligible working families in England with a child between 9 and 23 months old
- From September 2025 - Up to 30 hours for eligible working families in England with a child from 9 months old to 4 years old
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.