Tax-free childcare for 0 to 11-year-olds
This government scheme helps eligible working families save on their childcare costs for children aged 0 to 11-year-olds (or 16-years-old if disabled).
Eligible working parents and carers can receive up to £500 every 3 months (up to £2,000 a year per child). If your child has a disability, you can receive to £1,000 every 3 months (up to £4,000 a year per child).
You can use it to pay for childcare including:
- childminders
- nurseries, playgroups and pre-schools
- holiday play schemes
- before and after-school clubs.
Am I eligible?
- You, and any partner, must be over 16-years-old and each expect to earn an average of £183 per week (equal to 16 hours at the national minimum or living wage) during 3 months.
- If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or you're unable to work because you have a disability or have caring responsibilities, you could still be eligible.
- You can't get tax-free childcare if either you, or your partner, individually expect to earn £100,000 or more.
Only a parent/carer can set up a tax-free childcare account. Money can be deposited into the account by parents, friends, family and employers up to a maximum of £8,000 each year.
Find out more about tax-free childcare, including how to set you a tax free childcare account