Website of the UK government

Early learning places for three and four year olds

Every three and four year old in England is entitled to 12.5 hours of free early learning for 38 weeks of the year. This will rise to 15 hours a week from 2010, delivered flexibly over a minimum of three days.

To find out more, see 'Free early learning for three and four year olds'.

• Free early learning for three and four year olds

Help for working parents

Working Tax Credit is designed to help people on low incomes - whether they are employed or self-employed - and can include support for childcare. Many working families can receive help with their childcare costs through the childcare element of Working Tax Credit. If you use registered or approved childcare, depending on your income, you could get up to 80% of your childcare costs back.

Families may also be able to get help through Child Tax Credit - a means-tested allowance for parents and carers of children.

• Your money

Help for lone parents

Lone parents who are out of work can get help through a government programme called New Deal for Lone Parents. Further information is available through your local Jobcentre or Jobcentre Plus office.

• Find your local Jobcentre and Jobcentre Plus office Opens new window

Help for students

If you’re in further education, you may be able to get extra financial help through the Care to Learn Scheme (for students under 20) or through Learner Support Funds. There's also a scheme providing help with childcare costs for sixth form students aged 20 or over. Follow the links below for more details.

As a higher education student, you may be eligible for extra help on top of any standard Student Loans or grants you get. This could include a bursary, Child Tax Credit, Childcare Grant, or help from the Access to Learning Fund.

Money may also be available through educational trusts or charities. Ask your student welfare adviser or local authority for advice.

• Care to learn (education and learning section)
• Learner Support Funds (education and learning section)
• Help with childcare costs for sixth form students: if you're 20 or over (education and learning section)
• Extra help for higher education students with children (education and learning section)

Help from employers

Some employers offer a childcare allowance or vouchers as part of a ‘salary sacrifice’ scheme. It may be worth asking your line manager, personnel or human resources department whether your employer runs a scheme like this.

• Employer support towards childcare costs: more information Opens new window
• Find out about tax and National Insurance Contributions on employer-supported childcare Opens new window

More useful links

• Information about looking for and starting work (employment section)
• Childcare
• Download the Sure Start 'Looking for childcare' booklet Opens new window
• Download HMRC booklet, 'Help with the costs of childcare' (WTC5) (PDF, 86K) Opens new window