For every £8 you pay in, the government will automatically add £2, up to the value of £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 for children with disabilities).

If you pay for childcare while you go to work, Universal Credit can pay up to 85% of your childcare costs.

If you already claim tax credits, you can add an extra amount of Working Tax Credit to help cover the cost of childcare.

From September 2024, 15 hours childcare support will be extended to eligible working parents with a child from 9-months-old. Applications are now open.

From September 2025, support will reach 30 hours for eligible working parents with a child from 9-months-old up to school age.

Parents in receipt of certain benefits may be eligible for 15 hours funded childcare from the term after their child's 2nd birthday. 
 

Working families (over 16 hours per week at minimum wage) could be eligible for 15 hours funded childcare from the term after their child's 2nd birthday. From September 2025 the government plan to increase this up to 30 hours funded childcare. 

All 3 & 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours funded childcare from the term after their third birthday.
 

Working families (over 16 hours per week at minimum wage) could be eligible for up to 30 hours funded childcare from the term after their child's 3rd birthday.