Help Paying For Your Childcare
How Does Funding Work?
We understand that trying to navigate childcare funding options can be difficult. With so much to consider and a lot of options to explore, it can become confusing to know what you are eligible for!
We want to make sure that you feel fully supported and informed when it comes to the savings and financial aid you may be eligible to receive.
*All information is taken from www.childcarechoices.gov.uk and www.hounslow.gov.uk and correct as of January 2024
Are you entitled to help with the cost of your childcare?
Tax-Free Childcare - Up to £2000 per child
Who is eligible?
● Working families, including the self-employed, in the UK
● Earning under £100k and at least £167 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage) each
● Who aren't receiving Tax Credits, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers
● With children aged 0-11 (or 0-16 if disabled)
● For every £8 you pay into an online account, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year
How can I use it?
You can use Tax-Free Childcare all year round to spend on regulated child care, such as:
● Childminders, nurseries, and nannies
● Before and after-school clubs and holiday clubs
For example, if your childcare costs are £750 per month, you would pay £600 into your childcare account and the government would pay in £150. This would be an annual saving of £1,800 per child.
2-Year-Old Funding, 15 Hours
Who is eligible?
● For families in England, receiving some forms of support
● With 2-year-old children
● 15 hours of free childcare or early education for 38 weeks
● To be able to take up 15 hours of free childcare for your two-year-old you or your child must meet the eligibility criteria. Please visit GOV.UK for further information.
● A total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider
Where can I use it?
It's available at participating:
● Full day care (e.g nurseries)
● Schools
● Childminders
● Sessional providers (e.g. playgroups)
● Sure Start Children's Centres
From 1 January, 1 April, or 1 September following your child’s 2nd birthday.
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From April 2024, eligible working parents of 2-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of childcare support.
From September 2024, 15 hours of childcare support will be extended to eligible working parents of children from the age of 9 months to 3-year-olds.
3 and 4-Year-Old Funding, 15 Hours
Who is eligible?
● For working families in England
● With 3 and 4-year-old children
● 15 hours of free childcare or early education for 38 weeks
● A total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider
Where can I use it?
It's available at participating:
● Full day care (e.g nurseries)
● Schools
● Childminders
● Sessional providers (e.g. playgroups)
● Sure Start Children's Centres
● After school clubs
From 1 January, 1 April, or 1 September following your child's 3rd birthday.
3 and 4-Year-Old Funding, 30 Hours
Who is eligible?
● For working families in England
● With 3 and 4-year-old children
● 30 hours of free childcare or early education for 38 weeks
● A total of 1,140 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider
● Some providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week
Where can I use it?
It's available at participating:
● Full day care (e.g nurseries)
● Schools
● Childminders
● Sessional providers (e.g. playgroups)
● Sure Start Children's Centres
● After school clubs
Tax Credits for Childcare
Who is eligible?
● For working families, in the UK
● With children under 16 (or under 17 if disabled)
● 70% of childcare costs, up to a cap
● If you cannot make a new claim for Tax Credits, you may be able to apply for Universal Credit instead.
Where can I use it?
You can use tax credits for childcare to help pay:
● Registered childminders, nurseries, and nannies
● Registered after-school clubs and playschemes
● Registered schools
● Home care workers working for a registered home care agency
Universal Credits for Childcare
Who is eligible?
● For working families claiming Universal Credit, in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales
● With children under 17*
● Up to 85% of eligible childcare costs
● Who aren't receiving Tax-Free Childcare
* The childcare cost element in Universal Credit is paid up to the end of August following the child's 16th birthday.
Where can I use it?
You can use it to help pay:
● Registered childminders, nurseries, and nannies
● Registered after-school clubs and playschemes
● Registered schools
● Home care workers working for a registered home care agency
Please let us know if you believe you may be eligible for any form of funding or help with costs and we will assist you where we can.
Download Our FREE PDF
Complete the form below and we’ll send you a free copy of our Funding Options PDF, which clearly outlines all of the funding options that we have available and how to check which funding you are eligible for.
