Get free childcare if you're working

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Apply for free childcare

Use this service to apply for free childcare if you’re working and you live in England.

If your application is approved, you’ll get an 11-digit code that proves you’re eligible to get free childcare. You’ll need to give this code to your childcare provider.

HMRC will check if you’re eligible for Tax-Free Childcare when you apply for free childcare if you’re working.

What you need to apply

You’ll need your (and your partner’s, if you have one):

  • National Insurance number
  • Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), if you’re self-employed (if you have a UTR)

You’ll also need:

  • the UK birth certificate reference number (if you have one) of any children you’re applying for
  • the date you started or are due to start work (this can be approximate if it’s more than 3 months ago)

If you’re a director

You’ll need to show you meet the minimum income requirements to be eligible. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will try to check this using your PAYE records.

If you do not submit regular PAYE information, you may have to provide evidence to show you are working and expect to meet the minimum income requirements for the next 3 months. This could be:

  • wage slips
  • bank statements
  • a statement from your accountant
  • copies of invoices

If you’re not paid regularly (for example, once a year) you may need to send other evidence to show you’ll meet the minimum income requirements, such as:

  • annual wage slips
  • year end payroll
  • a letter from your tax agent or adviser confirming your salary has been paid and taxed

You’ll need to do this the first time you apply, and every time you reconfirm your eligibility.

If you have a partner

You must include your partner in your application if you’re:

  • married or in a civil partnership and live together
  • not married or in a civil partnership, but living together as though you are

Their employment and income will not affect your eligibility if they:

  • are or will be absent from your household for more than 6 months
  • are a prisoner

You and your partner cannot both have a code for the same child.

If you are separated

You and your ex-partner need to decide who should apply if you are jointly responsible for your child.

If you cannot decide, both of you must apply separately and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will decide who gets a childcare code.

Apply

To apply you’ll need to set up a childcare account.

It usually takes 20 minutes to apply.

Apply now

If you’ve been unable to use the service

You may be able to claim compensation if you’ve had technical problems with your account.

After you’ve applied

You’ll usually find out if you’re eligible straight away, but it can take up to 7 days.

Once your application has been approved

You’ll get an 11-digit code in your childcare account.

HMRC will let you know by text or email that the code is in your account.

Give the code to your provider along with:

  • your National Insurance number
  • your child’s date of birth

If you have not heard from HMRC

Contact the Childcare Service helpline if you applied more than 7 days ago and you still have not heard from HMRC.

Reconfirming your eligibility

To keep getting free childcare, you must reconfirm your eligibility by signing in to your childcare account every 3 months.

If you apply more than 3 months before the term starts, you’ll have to reconfirm your eligibility in your account in order to keep your code valid.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Get childcare: step by step

  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:

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

    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

    1. If you're getting Universal Credit, tell government straight away if your circumstances change

    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 Tax-Free Childcare to pay for childcare like wraparound care, after school clubs or other activities.