Skip to main content
Part of Get childcare: step by step

Tax-Free Childcare

Skip contents

If you get Universal Credit or childcare vouchers

You cannot get Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as claiming Universal Credit or childcare vouchers.

Which scheme you’re better off with depends on your situation.

Use the childcare calculator to work out which type of support is best for you.

Universal Credit

Wait until you get a decision on your Tax-Free Childcare application before cancelling your Universal Credit claim. 

Childcare vouchers

You must tell your employer within 90 days of applying for Tax-Free Childcare to stop your childcare vouchers or directly contracted childcare. 

They’ll then stop the vouchers or directly contracted childcare.

You may have to give HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) evidence of leaving the childcare voucher scheme - for example, a copy of the letter telling your employer you’re leaving the childcare voucher scheme.

If your partner gets vouchers or directly contracted childcare, they’ll also need to tell their employer within 90 days to stop them.

View a printable version of the whole guide

This page is Part of Get childcare: step by step

  1. Step 1 Find out if you can get help with childcare costs

    1. Check what help you could get with childcare costs

    You can only get help with 'approved childcare'.

    1. Find out what 'approved childcare' is

  2. and Find where you can get childcare

    1. Find a nursery school place
    2. Find a registered childminder
    3. Search for free early education and childcare

  3. Step 2 Get help paying for childcare

    You can get help with childcare costs for children under 18. You might be able to apply for:

    You could also get free childcare when your child is aged 9 months to 4 years. You might be able to apply for:

    You can only get childcare vouchers if you have already joined a scheme.

    1. Check the rules for childcare vouchers

  4. Step 3 Check what to do if your circumstances change

    1. If you're getting Universal Credit, tell government straight away if your circumstances change

    If you're getting Free Childcare for Working Parents or Tax-Free Childcare you have to confirm if your details are up to date every 3 months.

    1. Sign into your childcare account to find out when you next have to check your details

    Your eligibility for support with childcare costs might also change.

    1. Check if your eligibility for help with childcare costs has changed

  5. Step 4 Check what to do when your child reaches school age

    1. Apply for a primary school place
    2. Find before and after school and holiday clubs

    You might be able to use Tax-Free Childcare to pay for childcare like wraparound care, after school clubs or other activities.