Help with early years childcare costs

Childcare Choices is a dedicated site for funded childcare. It shows the options available for the entitlements. It gives information on help or support available with paying for childcare. 

You can get help paying for childcare if it’s provided by a: 

• registered childminder, nanny, playscheme, nursery or club 
• childminder or nanny with a registered childminder agency or childcare agency 
• registered school 
• home care worker working for a registered home care agency 

This is known as ‘approved childcare’. 

• The GOV.UK website has a useful tool to identify potential help you can access. 
• Check what help you could get with childcare costs. 

These are the sources of help available for paying childcare costs: 

• Tax-Free Childcare (this has replaced employer childcare voucher schemes) 
• Tax Credits 
• Universal Credit 
• Help whilst you study (Care to Learn, Learner Support and Childcare Grant) 
• Funded childcare for working parents 
• Universal childcare for 3 to 4 year olds 
• Targeted funding for 2 year olds 

Childcare for children 5 and under 

• Find more information about the different forms of early years childcare support. This includes those that are not specific to children with SEND.  

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) 

DLA for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who: 

• is under 16 
• has difficulties walking or needs more looking after than a child of the same age who doesn’t have a disability 

Find further information on DLA for children  

• If you are eligible for tax credits, you may be eligible for an extra disability element. 
• Tax credit helpline: 0345 300 3900. 

Help with childcare for parents who want to study 

If you are in full-time higher education, you may be eligible for help with learning costs. This may apply if you have children under 15, or under 17 with special educational needs.  

The Care to Learn scheme can also help with childcare costs while you study. To be eligible for this scheme, you must be under 20 at the start of your course.  

Funding for children in foster care 

Foster carers of children aged from 9 months to 4 years could get working parent entitlements. This applies if the foster parent is in paid work outside their fostering role. Their adjusted net income must not exceed £100,000. 

There is no minimum income rule for foster carers. We must be satisfied that the paid work, other than the fostering role, is consistent with the child’s care plan. 

Foster carers of 2 year olds will need to apply using the Targeted funding route. Foster parents must supply the social worker's name and email address when applying. Find information on how to apply.  

Foster carers of under 2’s and 3 to 4 year olds will need to submit a form. They should speak with the child’s social worker. They can request a copy of the form to be completed. The social worker will also need to authorise this. 

Extra funding available to support children in the early years setting 

All childcare providers must include children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to do this. 

Additional funding your childcare provider can apply for on behalf of parents: 

•  Activity Led Funding for Inclusion (ALFI)
•  Disability Access Fund (DAF)
•  Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)

Children and young people with SEND should be included and educated. They should have support where required. They should be educated alongside their peers. Find out about your childcare provider's range of support and opportunities.