Sign in to your childcare account

Use this account to get free childcare if you’re working or pay for your Tax-Free Childcare.

To keep getting free childcare if you’re working or Tax-Free Childcare, you must sign in every 3 months and confirm your details are up to date.

If you want to get free childcare if you’re working or Tax-Free Childcare and you’re from an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you need settled or pre-settled status or permission to access public funds.

If you’re eligible for free childcare if you’re working, sign in to get a code to give to your childcare provider.

If you’ve registered for Tax-Free Childcare, sign in to:

  • pay money into your account
  • pay your childcare provider
  • apply for a new child

You’ll need the Government Gateway user ID and password you used when you applied for Tax-Free Childcare.

This service is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Sign in

Before you start

You sign in to your account in a different way if you’re a childcare provider.

If you’ve been unable to use the service

You may be able to claim compensation if you’ve had technical problems with your account.

  1. Step 1 Check you're eligible

  2. Step 2 Check if you'll be better off

    Your tax credits will stop immediately if you successfully apply for Tax-Free Childcare.

    You (and your partner, if you have one) will also have to cancel your Universal Credit and childcare vouchers.

    Before you apply, check if it's the right option for you.

    1. Check if you'll be better off
  3. Step 3 Apply for Tax-Free Childcare

    There's one application for Tax-Free Childcare and free childcare if you're working. As part of your application, you will find out if you can get both.

    1. Apply online for Tax-Free Childcare

    If you're eligible you'll get a childcare account. You can use this to pay your childcare provider.

  4. Step 4 Sign in to your account to pay your childcare provider

  5. and Reconfirm your details every 3 months

    You must confirm your details are up to date every 3 months.

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