Funding Help For Childcare
Childcare tax credits
You may be able to get extra tax credits to help with childcare costs, if you’re a working parent.
Single parents must work 16 hours or more a week to get childcare tax credits.
Couples must both work 16 hours or more a week. But only one of you has to work these hours if the other is:
- entitled to carer’s allowance
- in hospital or prison
- getting certain benefits, credits or reductions for disability or illness - eg Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or a disability premium for Housing Benefit
You could get up to 70% of the childcare costs you’re claiming for, up to a maximum of £175 a week for 1 child and £300 a week for 2 or more children.
3-4 year Old Nursery Grant
All 3 and 4-year-olds in England are entitled to 570 hours of free early education or childcare a year. This is often taken as 15 hours each week for 38 weeks of the year. Some 2-year-olds are also eligible.
You can start claiming after your child turns 3. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is.
|
Child’s birthday |
When you can claim |
| 1 January to 31 March | the beginning of term on or after 1 April |
| 1 April to 31 August | the beginning of term on or after 1 September |
| 1 September to 31 December | the beginning of term on or after 1 January |
ExampleYour child was born on 15 February 2020. They’ll become eligible for free early education and childcare from the start of term following 1 April 2023.
The free early education and childcare can be at:
- nursery schools
- nurseries on school sites
- nursery classes in schools and academies
- children’s centres
- day nurseries
- some playgroups and pre-school
- childminders
Some 2-year-olds in England can also get free early education and childcare.
You must be getting one of the following:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act
- the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) and have an annual income not over £16,190
- the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
- Working Tax Credits and earn £16,190 a year or less
Children are also entitled to a place if:
- they’re looked after by a local council
- they have a current statement of special education needs (SEN) or an education health and care plan
- they get Disability Living Allowance
- they’ve left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or residence order
If your child is eligible, you can start claiming after they turn 2. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is.
| Child’s birthday | When you can claim |
| 1 January to 31 March | the beginning of term on or after 1 April |
| 1 April to 31 August | the beginning of term on or after 1 September |
| 1 September to 31 December | the beginning of term on or after 1 January |
Support while you study
Discretionary Learner Support
If you’re 20 or over and on a further education course you may be able to get Discretionary Learner Support to pay for childcare. Each college has its own scheme so contact the college direct to find out more.
Childcare Grant
If you’re in full-time higher education you can apply for a Childcare Grant to pay for childcare costs for children under 15, or under 17 if they have special needs.
Care to Learn
Care to Learn payments go direct to your childcare provider to pay for childcare costs. You may be able to get Care to Learn if you’re under 20 and caring for your own child.
For the most up-to-date information please go to Ealing Council Information page at:
https://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/201022/childcare_and_early_years/198/childcare_funding