Wraparound Childcare Programme
Tax Free Childcare Sign Up
Working families, including the self-employed, and earning under £100k and at least £167 per week can sign up to receive Tax-Free Childcare. For every £8 a parent 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 per child if disabled).
Tax-Free Childcare can be used with children aged 0-11 (or 0-16 if disabled) meaning that it can be used towards Breakfast, After School and Holiday clubs.
Parents using the scheme open an online childcare account which they use to pay you 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 you 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
For working families claiming Universal Credit and not in receipt of Tax-Free Childcare, they are 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 Playschemes.
Parents who need this help should speak to their Universal Credit work coach who can provide more information.