Childcare you can get help paying for

😅😡😠 You can get help paying for childcare if it’s provided by a:

  • registered childminder, nanny, playscheme, nursery or club
  • childminder or nanny with a registered childminder agency or childcare agency
  • registered school
  • home care worker working for a registered home care agency

😅😡😠 This is known as ‘approved childcare’.

😅😡😠 The rules about how childcare providers become approved are different depending on where you live.

😅😡😠 You can check if a childcare provider is approved or search for one in:

😅😡😠 If you want to claim 30 hours free childcare in England, the provider will also need to be on an Early Years Register with Ofsted or with a registered early years childminder agency - ask your provider about this.

Sign in to your childcare account

😅😡😠 Sign in to your childcare account if you already get Tax-Free Childcare or 30 hours free childcare.

Childcare at school

😅😡😠 You can only get help paying for care that is outside school hours, for example after school clubs or breakfast clubs.

😅😡😠 You cannot get help paying for:

  • your child’s compulsory education
  • private lessons during school time (for example, private music lessons during school hours)

😅😡😠 If your child has not started primary school, you can get help paying for childcare provided by a school. This includes nursery school fees.

Childcare provided by relatives

If you live in England or Scotland

😅😡😠 You can only get Tax-Free Childcare to help pay for childcare provided by a relative (for example, a grandparent) if they’re a registered childminder and care for your child outside your home.

😅😡😠 You cannot claim for 30 hours free childcare for childcare provided by a relative (for example, a grandparent).

😅😡😠 You cannot get help for childcare provided by your partner. This is not accepted as ‘approved childcare’.

😅😡😠 If you live in England and get 30 hours free childcare, you can pay the childcare provider using Universal Credit, tax credits, childcare vouchers or Tax-Free Childcare.

If you live in Northern Ireland

😅😡😠 You can only get help paying for childcare provided by a relative if all of the following apply:

If you live in Wales

😅😡😠 You can only get help paying for childcare provided by a relative if they’re a registered childminder and care for your child outside your home.

Foster carers

😅😡😠 Childcare provided by a foster carer in England only counts if they’re registered as a childcare provider.

😅😡😠 You may be able to claim if a foster carer provides childcare in Wales, provides childcare in Scotland or provides childcare in Northern Ireland.

Part of Get childcare: step by step

  1. Step 1 Find out if you can get help with childcare costs

    1. Check what help you could get with childcare costs

    You can only get help with 'approved childcare'.

    1. You are currently viewing: Find out what 'approved childcare' is

  2. and Find where you can get childcare

    1. Find a nursery school place
    2. Find a registered childminder
    3. Search for free early education and childcare

  3. Step 2 Get help paying for childcare

    You can get help with childcare costs for children under 18. You might be able to apply for:

    You could also get free hours childcare when your child is aged 2 to 4. You might be able to apply for:

    You can only get childcare vouchers if you have already joined a scheme.

    1. Check the rules for childcare vouchers

  4. Step 3 Check what to do if your circumstances change

    Tell government straight away if your circumstances change and you're getting:

    If you're getting 30 hours free childcare or Tax-Free Childcare you have to confirm if your details are up to date every 3 months.

    1. Sign into your childcare account to find out when you next have to check your details

    Your eligibility for support with childcare costs might also change.

    1. Check if your eligibility for help with childcare costs has changed

  5. Step 4 Check what to do when your child reaches school age

    Your child starts primary school the September after they turn 4.

    1. Apply for a primary school place
    2. Find before and after school and holiday clubs

    You might be able to use help like tax credits or Tax-Free Childcare to pay for childcare like wraparound care, after school clubs or other activities.