How to find childcare, get help paying for it and what to do if your circumstances change
Step 1: Find out if you can get help with childcare costs
Check what help you could get with childcare costs.
You can only get help with 'approved childcare'.
Find where you can get childcare
Step 2: Get help paying for childcare
You can get help with childcare costs for children under 18. You might be able to apply for:
You could also get free hours childcare when your child is aged two to four. You might be able to apply for:
You can only get childcare vouchers if you have already joined a scheme.
Step3: Check what to do if your circumstances change
Tell government straight away if your circumstances change and you're getting:
If you are getting 30 hours free childcare or Tax-Free Childcare you have to confirm if your details are up to date every three months.
Sign into your childcare account to find out when you next have to check your details
Your eligibility for support with childcare costs might also change.
Check if your eligibility for help with childcare costs has changed
Step4: Check what to do when your child reaches school age
Your child starts primary school the September after they turn 4.
You might be able to use help like tax credits or Tax-Free Childcare to pay for childcare like wraparound care, after school clubs or other activities.