Find out what funding you can get to help pay your childcare costs and support your child’s needs.
There are many different types of support available to help you with childcare costs.
Free early education for two year olds
You can get to 15 hours a week free early years education from the term after your child’s second birthday if:
- your child gets Disability Living Allowance
- your child has an education, health and care plan
- you get benefits such as tax credits and income support
Find out more about funding for 2 year olds on our early years pages.
Free early education for three and four year olds
All three and four year olds are eligible for 15 hours of free early education funding from the term after their third birthday. In September 2017 the government introduced 30 hours free childcare for families who meet certain criteria.
Read about the criteria for a 30 hour place and apply for a place.
Childcare vouchers
Childcare voucher schemes are tax free payments from your salary, which your employer signs up for. They can affect the amount of tax credit you get.
Tax free childcare
Tax free childcare offers parents with children under 17 up to £4,000 per child, per year towards their childcare costs if they’re disabled. You can apply through GOV.UK’s childcare service.
