Government Financial Support for Families
There are a range of government schemes available to help with the cost of childcare and family life. The support you can access will depend on your child’s age and your family circumstances.
Early Years Funding
Early Years Funding (also known as funded childcare) supports children with funded early education.
You may be eligible for:
- Universal Entitlement (3–4 year olds)
All children aged 3 and 4 can access up to 15 hours per week of funded childcare. - Working Parent Entitlement (9 months to school age)
Eligible working parents can access up to 30 hours per week from the term after their child turns 9 months until they start school. - Early Learning for 2-year-olds (additional support)
Some families may be eligible for 15 hours per week if they receive certain benefits or meet specific criteria.
Funded hours usually begin from the school term after your child reaches the relevant age and can be used with registered childcare providers.
Tax-Free Childcare
Tax-Free Childcare helps working families with childcare costs:
- For every £8 you pay, the government adds £2 (20% top-up)
- Up to £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 if your child is disabled)
To qualify, parents must be working and there are minimum and maximum income thresholds. It can be used for nurseries, childminders, after-school clubs, and holiday schemes.
You cannot use Tax-Free Childcare if you are in the Childcare Vouchers or Workplace Nurseries' Salary Exchange scheme so you need to consider which scheme would bring you the greatest benefit. For further information, please call the government's Childcare Services Helpline on 0300 123 4097.
Universal Credit (Childcare Support)
If you are receiving Universal Credit and are in work, you may be able to claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs, up to a monthly maximum.
This support covers children up to age 16 and can be used alongside many types of childcare.
Support for Students
If you are studying, you may be eligible for additional financial support, depending on your circumstances.
This can include grants or funding to help with childcare costs - please check with your course provider or student finance service.
You may be eligible for help with your childcare costs if you:
- are a full-time higher education student
- have children under 15, or under 17 if they have special educational needs.
The grant
- does not have to be paid back
- is paid on top of your Student Finance
You must be eligible for Student Finance to apply for a Childcare Grant.
If you are a student from England with dependent children, you may qualify if you're taking:
- a full-time undergraduate course
- an Initial Teacher Training Course
The University Childcare Support Fund
Offers limited financial assistance to eligible student parents towards OFSTED-registered childcare costs.
Other support to consider
You may also be able to access:
- Holiday activities and food programmes for school-aged children
- Help through Student Finance or hardship funds
Check what you're entitled to
Childcare and Government funding can be complex, and some schemes cannot be used together. Use the government’s benefit checkers to explore your options: