Help with Childcare Costs

You can find out information about all the different types of help with childcare costs on The Best Start in Life website .  

You can find out more information about combining schemes on the Best Start in Life website.

You can use the childcare-calculator on the governement website to find out what schemes you are eligible for and how much you can get towards the cost of your childcare.

Upfront Childcare Costs

You may be able to get help if you have to pay upfront childcare costs and one of the following applies:

• you’re starting work
• you’re increasing the hours you work, for example you’ve moved from part-time work to full-time work

Use your online account or contact your work coach at Jobcentre Plus. If eligible, the payment will be made directly to your provider. You will not have to pay the money back.

You can then claim up to 85% of those childcare costs to be paid with your Universal Credit. That could give you money towards the next month’s childcare costs.