With the Government's drive to reduce the cost of childcare for parents, learn more about what the latest plans to improve the cost, choice and availability of childcare mean.
Tax-free Childcare
You can get up to £500 every three months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the cost of childcare.
There is more information about Tax-Free Childcare available here: Tax-Free Childcare - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
30-hours free childcare
Eligible working families in England with 3 and 4 year old children can receive 30 hours of free childcare a week.
There is more information about 30hrs Free Childcare available here: 30 hours free childcare - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
15-hours free childcare
Families in England who have 2 year old children and are on certain benefits can get 15 hours of free childcare a week.
All families with children aged 3 and 4 can also access 15 hours of free childcare a week.
There is more information about free childcare here: Help paying for childcare: Free education and childcare for 2-year-olds - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and here: Help paying for childcare: 15 hours free childcare for 3 and 4-year-olds - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Child Benefit
You can claim Child Benefit if you’re responsible for bringing up a child who is:
- Under 16
- Under 20 if they stay in approved education or training
- Only one person can get Child Benefit for a child.
- It’s paid every 4 weeks and there’s no limit to how many children you can claim for.
You can claim Child Benefit here: Claim Child Benefit: How to claim - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Claim back childcare costs
You may be able to claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs if you’re eligible for Universal Credit, with up to £646 back each month for one child or £1,108 for 2 or more children.
You can find out more about claiming back childcare costs here: Help paying for childcare: Childcare you can get help paying for - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Claim Healthy Start vouchers
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be able to get help to buy healthy food and milk.
There is more information about claiming Healthy Start Vouchers here: Healthy Start - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Sure Start Maternity Grant
You could claim a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child.
There is more information about claiming the Sure Start Maternity Grant here: Sure Start Maternity Grant: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)