What childcare funding can you get?

• England

  30hours a week

  30 funded hours

  Who it’s for

  Working parents, from the term after a child turns 9 months until they start school

  What you get

  30 hours a week for 38 weeks a year. Each parent earns at least £203 a week and under £100,000 a year.

  Good to know: You apply through a GOV.UK childcare account, give the code to your provider, and reconfirm every 3 months. Apply by 31 August, 31 December or 31 March for the term that follows.

  Apply on GOV.UK Our application guide

• England

  15hours a week

  15 hours for 3 and 4-year-olds

  Who it’s for

  Every family, from the term after a child turns 3

  What you get

  15 hours a week for 38 weeks a year, whatever you earn. No application: ask your nursery or childminder.

  Good to know: It starts on 1 January, 1 April or 1 September after the third birthday. Working parents get the 30 hours instead of this, not on top of it.

  How it works on GOV.UK What you can combine it with

• England

  15hours a week

  15 hours for 2-year-olds

  Who it’s for

  Families on some benefits, including Universal Credit with household earnings of £15,400 or less

  What you get

  15 hours a week for 38 weeks a year. Your council decides.

  Good to know: It also covers 2-year-olds who have an education, health and care plan, get Disability Living Allowance, or are looked after by the council. You apply through your council, not HMRC.

  Who qualifies on GOV.UK

• UK-wide

  £2,000a year for each child

  Tax-Free Childcare

  Who it’s for

  Working parents of children under 12, who don’t claim Universal Credit

  What you get

  The government adds £2 for every £8 you pay in, up to £2,000 a year for each child.

  Good to know: The top-up is capped at £500 every 3 months. For a disabled child it’s £4,000 a year, until they’re 17. You can use it on top of funded hours, for the hours they don’t cover.

  Apply on GOV.UK Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit?

• UK-wide

  85%of your costs back

  Universal Credit childcare

  Who it’s for

  Universal Credit claimants in paid work

  What you get

  Claim back up to 85% of costs: up to £1,071.09 a month for one child, £1,836.16 for two or more.

  Good to know: You pay the provider first, then report the cost in your Universal Credit account to get it back. You can’t use it together with Tax-Free Childcare.

  How to claim on GOV.UK Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit?

Questions parents ask