Wraparound Childcare Programme

Working families, including the self-employed, earning under £100k and at least £167 per week can sign up to receive Tax-Free Childcare. For every £8 a parent or carer pays into an online account, the government will add an extra £2, this is a saving of up to £2,000 per child per year (or up to £4,000 if a child has a special educational need and/or disability).

Tax-Free Childcare can be used with children aged 0-11 (or aged 0-16 if a child has a special educational need and/or disability) meaning that it can be used towards breakfast, after school and holiday clubs.

Parents and carers using the scheme need to open an online childcare account which they use to pay the setting directly for childcare. Payments work just as they do through an online bank account. Each payment is accompanied by a reference number for each child so the setting can identify their payments.

To enable families to use Tax-Free Childcare to help with costs of wraparound provision you'll need to sign up  online by using your 11-digit user ID from your invitation letter - if you did not get one or have lost it, contact the helpline.

Universal Credit Childcare

Working families claiming Universal Credit and not in receipt of Tax-Free Childcare are also able to receive financial help towards childcare costs (up to 85% of childcare costs paid back) for children under 17 years old. It can be used to help pay for breakfast, after school and holiday clubs.

Parents and carers who need this help should speak to their Universal Credit work coach who can provide more information.