Childcare Subsidy Government Programmes

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Great question: How does tax free childcare work?

Here are the key points on how tax free childcare works:

• For working families, including the self-employed, in the UK
• Earning under £100k and at least £152 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

The nitty gritty:

If you have a child under the age of 12, you can receive up to £2,000 per year for each child, which works out to be up to £500 every three months. If you have a disabled child, you could receive up to £4,000 per year - that's up to £1,000 every three months!

Are you eligible?

You and your partner must be over 16 years old and each expect to earn at least £152 per week (which is equivalent to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage).

Even if you're on leave, like maternity or paternity leave, or unable to work due to disability or caring responsibilities, you might still be eligible. However, if either you or your partner individually expect to earn £100,000 or more, you won't be able to get Tax-Free Childcare.

Are you ready to apply for tax free childcare?  Follow this link...

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-tax-free-childcare

How can you use it?

Tax-Free Childcare can be used throughout the year on regulated childcare options like childminders, nurseries, nannies, before and after-school clubs, and holiday clubs.  For example, if your monthly childcare costs are £750, you'll pay £600 and the government will pay in £150, which would save you £1,800 per child every year!

You can even use Tax-Free Childcare alongside other available options like 15 hours or 30 hours of free childcare.  Just keep in mind that you can't use it with Universal Credit, Tax Credits, or Childcare Vouchers (which are no longer available to new entrants).

You will need a Tax Free Childcare Account in order to gain access to this service.  You can also access our tax free childcare calculator to quickly understand the costs and how much the government will support.

Important links to follow:

https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Apply for tax free childcare: 

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-tax-free-childcare

Here are the key points for 15 hours free childcare for 2 year olds:

• 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 click here for further information.
• A total of 570 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

The Nitty Gritty

To be eligible, you'll need to meet certain criteria.  To check if you qualify, check out GOV.UK for more information.

You can use your free hours at participating full day care providers, such as nurseries and schools, as well as childminders, sessional providers like playgroups, and Sure Start Children's Centres.  The free hours become available on either January 1st, April 1st, or September 1st after your child's second birthday.

Please note that the 15 hours of free childcare/early education does not cover additional costs such as meals, supplies like nappies or sunscreen, extra hours, or special activities like trips. Your childcare provider may charge a fee for these, but it must not be a requirement to take up your free 15 hours, and alternative options must be offered.

If you're a non-UK citizen with "no recourse to public funds," your 2-year-old may still be eligible for free childcare if you live in England and your household income is no more than:

• £26,500 for families outside of London with one child
• £34,500 for families within London with one child
• £30,600 for families outside of London with two or more children
• £38,600 for families within London with two or more children Additionally, you cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments.

If you're unsure if you're eligible for free childcare, reach out to your childcare provider or local council for clarification.

If you have any further questions or need more information, feel free to ask or contact us

Another great question: How does 15 hours free childcare work for 3 and 4 year olds?

Here are the key points for 15 hours free childcare for 3-4 year olds:

• Pretty much the same as the support received for 2 year olds, but is available for all families in the UK with 3-4 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
• Some providers will allow you  to ‘stretch’ the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week
• Check the governments website on how this works

It is available at participating

• Full day care (e.g nurseries)
• Schools
• Childminders
• Sessional providers (e.g. playgroups)
• Sure Start Children's Centres
• After school clubs

This topic is popular and we get asked about it all the time.

Questions we get asked often:

• How do you choose between 15 or 30 hours free childcare?
• Am I eligible for 30 hours free childcare?
• Where is the 30 hours free childcare eligibility calculator?
• How does 30 hours free childcare actually work?

So, in a nutshell, these are the summary points for 30 hours free childcare for 3 & 4 year olds:

• 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

The nitty gritty:

• You, and any partner, must each expect to earn (on average) at least £152 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage).

• If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or you're unable to work because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities, you could still be eligible.

• You can't get 30 hours free childcare if either you, or your partner, each individually expect to earn £100,000 or more.

When can my child start?

Your child can start in their childcare place the term after they turn 3 years old and have received a valid 30 hours code, whichever is later.  Term start dates are 1st September, 1st January and 1st April.

To keep your 30 hours free childcare place you need to check your details are up to date every 3 months.

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

Please view the step by step guide on how to use 30 hours free childcare

To get started:

Your 30 hours free childcare login can be setup here:

https://www.gov.uk/apply-30-hours-free-childcare