Childcare and early years

Help with childcare costs

Depending on how old your child is, you may be able to access between 15 and 30 hours government funded childcare. The help you can get also depends on whether you are working or receiving certain benefits.

15 and 30 hours childcare support

Below you can find details of the free childcare schemes. Each scheme has different eligibility rules so it’s important to check which is is right for you.

30 hours childcare - for eligible working families in England with children aged 9 months to 4 years

15 hours childcare - for all families in England with children aged 3 to 4 years

15 hours for 2-year-olds receiving support - 15 hours early learning for families in England

30 hours free childcare for foster children

Help paying for childcare

In addition to the free childcare schemes, other options could be available to parents to help with the cost of childcare:

  • Universal Credit childcare
  • tax-free childcare
  • study support

Visit the Best Start in Life website and use their childcare support checker to see what is available to you.