Get childcare: step by step

How to find childcare, get help paying for it and what to do if your circumstances change.

1. Step 1: Find out if you can get help with childcare costs

   1. Check what help you could get with childcare costs

   You can only get help with 'approved childcare'.

   1. Find out what 'approved childcare' is

2. and Find where you can get childcare

   1. Find a nursery school place
   2. Find a registered childminder
   3. Search for free early education and childcare

3. 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:

   • Tax-Free Childcare
   • tax credits
   • Universal Credit
   • help while you study

   You could also get free childcare when your child is aged 9 months to 4 years. You might be able to apply for:

   • free childcare for 2 year olds if you get certain benefits
   • 15 hours free childcare for 3 to 4 year olds
   • free childcare if you're working

   You can only get childcare vouchers if you have already joined a scheme.

   1. Check the rules for childcare vouchers

4. Step 3: Check what to do if your circumstances change

   Tell government straight away if your circumstances change and you're getting:

   • tax credits
   • Universal Credit

   If you're getting free childcare if you're working or Tax-Free Childcare you have to confirm if your details are up to date every 3 months.

   1. 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.

   1. Check if your eligibility for help with childcare costs has changed

5. Step 4: Check what to do when your child reaches school age

   1. Apply for a primary school place
   2. Find before and after school and holiday clubs

   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.