Childcare in the UK: government step-by-step guide to finding care and help with costs

The UK government has published a guide on GOV.UK called "Get childcare: step by step". It brings together information on how to find childcare, how to get help paying for it and what to do if your circumstances change. According to the page's metadata, the content was last updated on 3 August 2026.

Step 1: check what help you can get

GOV.UK first advises using the childcare calculator, which shows what support a family could get. The page stresses that help is available only for "approved childcare", meaning care recognised by the state. A separate page explains what that term covers.

The same step includes tools for finding care: a nursery school place, a registered childminder, and free early education and childcare.

Step 2: help with paying

Help with childcare costs covers children under 18. According to the guide, you may be able to apply for:

• Tax-Free Childcare,
• the childcare element of Universal Credit,
• help while you study.

Free childcare for children aged 9 months to 4 years is described separately. It lists 15 hours of free childcare for 2-year-olds (Early Learning for 2 year olds), 15 hours for 3 to 4-year-olds, and Free Childcare for Working Parents.

Childcare vouchers can be used only by people who have already joined such a scheme.

Step 3: if your circumstances change

People receiving Universal Credit should report changes in their circumstances straight away. Parents getting Free Childcare for Working Parents or Tax-Free Childcare must confirm every 3 months that their details are up to date. You can find out when your next check is due by signing in to your childcare account. A change in circumstances may also affect your eligibility, so it is worth using the calculator again.

Step 4: when your child reaches school age

The final step concerns school-age children. The guide points to information on applying for a primary school place and to a search tool for before- and after-school clubs and holiday clubs. GOV.UK notes that Tax-Free Childcare may sometimes be used to pay for wraparound care, after-school clubs and other activities.

What this means for you

The guide does not introduce new rules. It shows where to find official information. Parents living in the UK can check in one place what kinds of help exist and how to claim them. The rules for each benefit, including conditions relating to residence and work, are set out on the pages for each scheme. It is worth reading them before you apply.