How does Universal Credit affect Tax-Free Childcare?

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background_custom_size_medium="" background_custom_size_small="" background_blend_mode_medium="" background_blend_mode_small="" background_blend_mode="none" background_slider_images="" background_slider_position="" background_slider_skip_lazy_loading="no" background_slider_loop="yes" background_slider_pause_on_hover="no" background_slider_slideshow_speed="5000" background_slider_animation="fade" background_slider_direction="up" background_slider_animation_speed="800" background_slider_blend_mode="" render_logics="" sticky="off" sticky_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_offset="" absolute="off" absolute_props="" filter_type="regular" filter_hover_element="self" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0" transform_type="regular" transform_hover_element="self" transform_scale_x="1" transform_scale_y="1" transform_translate_x="0" transform_translate_y="0" transform_rotate="0" transform_skew_x="0" transform_skew_y="0" transform_scale_x_hover="1" transform_scale_y_hover="1" transform_translate_x_hover="0" transform_translate_y_hover="0" transform_rotate_hover="0" transform_skew_x_hover="0" transform_skew_y_hover="0" transform_origin="" transition_duration="300" transition_easing="ease" transition_custom_easing="" motion_effects="" scroll_motion_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" last="true" border_position="all" first="true"][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="" rule_size="" rule_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" user_select="" content_alignment_medium="" content_alignment_small="" content_alignment="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" fusion_font_family_text_font="" fusion_font_variant_text_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] Parents can have a Tax-Free Childcare account and still receive Universal Credit, but they cannot usually claim Universal Credit childcare support and Tax-Free Childcare towards the same childcare charges. Using Tax-Free Childcare may also affect existing benefit entitlement calculations. [/fusion_text][fusion_alert type="general" accent_color="#808080" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" background_color="#ffffff" border_size="" border_radius_top_left="" border_radius_top_right="" border_radius_bottom_right="" border_radius_bottom_left="" icon="" text_align="center" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="15px" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" text_transform="" link_color_inheritance="" dismissable="no" box_shadow="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] Because every family’s circumstances are different, parents should check carefully before switching schemes. HMRC provides a comparison calculator here: [/fusion_alert][fusion_title title_type="text" marquee_direction="left" marquee_speed="15000" rotation_effect="bounceIn" display_time="1200" highlight_effect="circle" loop_animation="off" highlight_width="9" highlight_top_margin="0" before_text="" rotation_text="" highlight_text="" after_text="" title_link="off" link_url="" link_target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" content_align_medium="" content_align_small="" content_align="left" size="5" animated_font_size="" fusion_font_family_title_font="" fusion_font_variant_title_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" animated_text_color="" text_shadow="no" text_shadow_vertical="" text_shadow_horizontal="" text_shadow_blur="0" text_shadow_color="" text_stroke="no" text_stroke_size="1" text_stroke_color="" text_overflow="none" margin_top_medium="" margin_right_medium="" margin_bottom_medium="" margin_left_medium="" margin_top_small="" margin_right_small="" margin_bottom_small="" margin_left_small="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" margin_top_mobile="" margin_bottom_mobile="" gradient_font="no" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" highlight_color="" style_type="default" sep_color="" link_color="" link_hover_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""] Universal Credit childcare support [/fusion_title][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="" rule_size="" rule_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" user_select="" content_alignment_medium="" content_alignment_small="" content_alignment="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" fusion_font_family_text_font="" fusion_font_variant_text_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] Under Universal Credit, eligible parents can reclaim a percentage of childcare costs after paying them. This can sometimes be more beneficial for: [/fusion_text][fusion_checklist type="icons" icon="fa-circle fas" iconcolor="var(--awb-color5)" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circle="no" circlecolor="" textcolor="" size="" item_padding_top="" item_padding_right="" item_padding_bottom="" item_padding_left="" divider="" divider_color="" odd_row_bgcolor="" even_row_bgcolor="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" parent_dynamic_content=""][fusion_li_item]Lower income households[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Families already receiving Universal Credit support[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Parents with very high childcare costs relative to income[/fusion_li_item][/fusion_checklist][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="" rule_size="" rule_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" user_select="" content_alignment_medium="" content_alignment_small="" content_alignment="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" fusion_font_family_text_font="" fusion_font_variant_text_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] The typical process for this is: [/fusion_text][fusion_checklist type="icons" icon="fa-circle fas" iconcolor="var(--awb-color5)" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circle="no" circlecolor="" textcolor="" size="" item_padding_top="" item_padding_right="" item_padding_bottom="" item_padding_left="" divider="" divider_color="" odd_row_bgcolor="" even_row_bgcolor="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" parent_dynamic_content=""][fusion_li_item]Parent pays the childcare provider directly[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Parent reports the childcare costs to Universal Credit[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Evidence or receipts may be requested[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Universal Credit reimburses a percentage of the eligible childcare costs as part of a future payment[/fusion_li_item][/fusion_checklist][fusion_alert type="general" accent_color="#808080" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" background_color="#ffffff" border_size="" border_radius_top_left="" border_radius_top_right="" border_radius_bottom_right="" border_radius_bottom_left="" icon="" text_align="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="30px" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" text_transform="" link_color_inheritance="" dismissable="no" box_shadow="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] Adding your DFE and Ofsted registration numbers to your booking confirmation email templates is usually enough for parents to use these when reporting childcare costs [/fusion_alert][fusion_title title_type="text" marquee_direction="left" marquee_speed="15000" rotation_effect="bounceIn" display_time="1200" highlight_effect="circle" loop_animation="off" highlight_width="9" highlight_top_margin="0" before_text="" rotation_text="" highlight_text="" after_text="" title_link="off" link_url="" link_target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" content_align_medium="" content_align_small="" content_align="left" size="5" animated_font_size="" fusion_font_family_title_font="" fusion_font_variant_title_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" animated_text_color="" text_shadow="no" text_shadow_vertical="" text_shadow_horizontal="" text_shadow_blur="0" text_shadow_color="" text_stroke="no" text_stroke_size="1" text_stroke_color="" text_overflow="none" margin_top_medium="" margin_right_medium="" margin_bottom_medium="" margin_left_medium="" margin_top_small="" margin_right_small="" margin_bottom_small="" margin_left_small="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" margin_top_mobile="" margin_bottom_mobile="" gradient_font="no" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" highlight_color="" style_type="default" sep_color="" link_color="" link_hover_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""] How much can be reclaimed? [/fusion_title][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="" rule_size="" rule_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" user_select="" content_alignment_medium="" content_alignment_small="" content_alignment="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" fusion_font_family_text_font="" fusion_font_variant_text_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] Eligible parents can usually reclaim up to 85% of eligible childcare costs, s ubject to monthly maximum limits set by the government. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

How long does it take for Tax-Free Childcare top-up funds to become available?

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filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0" transform_type="regular" transform_hover_element="self" transform_scale_x="1" transform_scale_y="1" transform_translate_x="0" transform_translate_y="0" transform_rotate="0" transform_skew_x="0" transform_skew_y="0" transform_scale_x_hover="1" transform_scale_y_hover="1" transform_translate_x_hover="0" transform_translate_y_hover="0" transform_rotate_hover="0" transform_skew_x_hover="0" transform_skew_y_hover="0" transform_origin="" transition_duration="300" transition_easing="ease" transition_custom_easing="" motion_effects="" scroll_motion_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" last="true" border_position="all" first="true"][fusion_title title_type="text" marquee_direction="left" marquee_speed="15000" rotation_effect="bounceIn" display_time="1200" highlight_effect="circle" loop_animation="off" highlight_width="9" highlight_top_margin="0" before_text="" rotation_text="" highlight_text="" after_text="" title_link="off" link_url="" link_target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" content_align_medium="" content_align_small="" content_align="left" size="5" animated_font_size="" fusion_font_family_title_font="" fusion_font_variant_title_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" animated_text_color="" text_shadow="no" text_shadow_vertical="" text_shadow_horizontal="" text_shadow_blur="0" text_shadow_color="" text_stroke="no" text_stroke_size="1" text_stroke_color="" text_overflow="none" margin_top_medium="" margin_right_medium="" margin_bottom_medium="" margin_left_medium="" margin_top_small="" margin_right_small="" margin_bottom_small="" margin_left_small="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" margin_top_mobile="" margin_bottom_mobile="" gradient_font="no" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" highlight_color="" style_type="default" sep_color="" link_color="" link_hover_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""]1. Money entering the parent’s HMRC childcare account[/fusion_title][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="" rule_size="" rule_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" user_select="" content_alignment_medium="" content_alignment_small="" content_alignment="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" fusion_font_family_text_font="" fusion_font_variant_text_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] Usually fast - In most cases, government top-up funds are added quite quickly after a parent deposits money into their Tax-Free Childcare account. Typically: [/fusion_text][fusion_checklist type="icons" icon="" iconcolor="var(--awb-color5)" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circle="no" circlecolor="" textcolor="" size="" item_padding_top="" item_padding_right="" item_padding_bottom="" item_padding_left="" divider="" divider_color="" odd_row_bgcolor="" even_row_bgcolor="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="30px" margin_left="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" parent_dynamic_content=""][fusion_li_item icon="fa-credit-card fas" iconcolor="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circlecolor=""] Parent bank transfer/card payment arrives in the childcare account [/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon="fa-calculator fas" iconcolor="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circlecolor=""] HMRC calculates the government contribution [/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon="fa-tag fas" iconcolor="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circlecolor=""] The 20% top-up is then added automatically [/fusion_li_item][/fusion_checklist][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="" rule_size="" rule_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" user_select="" content_alignment_medium="" content_alignment_small="" content_alignment="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" fusion_font_family_text_font="" fusion_font_variant_text_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] This often happens within a few minutes to a few hours, but HMRC advises that it can sometimes take longer depending on: banking processing times, weekends or bank holidays, additional HMRC checks or first-time account activity. [/fusion_text][fusion_title title_type="text" marquee_direction="left" marquee_speed="15000" rotation_effect="bounceIn" display_time="1200" highlight_effect="circle" loop_animation="off" highlight_width="9" highlight_top_margin="0" before_text="" rotation_text="" highlight_text="" after_text="" title_link="off" link_url="" link_target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" content_align_medium="" content_align_small="" content_align="left" size="5" animated_font_size="" fusion_font_family_title_font="" fusion_font_variant_title_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" animated_text_color="" text_shadow="no" text_shadow_vertical="" text_shadow_horizontal="" text_shadow_blur="0" text_shadow_color="" text_stroke="no" text_stroke_size="1" text_stroke_color="" text_overflow="none" margin_top_medium="" margin_right_medium="" margin_bottom_medium="" margin_left_medium="" margin_top_small="" margin_right_small="" margin_bottom_small="" margin_left_small="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" margin_top_mobile="" margin_bottom_mobile="" gradient_font="no" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" highlight_color="" style_type="default" sep_color="" link_color="" link_hover_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""] 2. Money being sent to the childcare provider [/fusion_title][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="" rule_size="" rule_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" user_select="" content_alignment_medium="" content_alignment_small="" content_alignment="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" fusion_font_family_text_font="" fusion_font_variant_text_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] Historically, once parents manually transferred funds to a provider, payments could take 3–5 working days - Occasionally longer during busy periods. This delay is one of the biggest admin points for schools and childcare providers because: [/fusion_text][fusion_checklist type="icons" icon="fa-times fas" iconcolor="var(--awb-color5)" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circle="no" circlecolor="" textcolor="" size="" item_padding_top="" item_padding_right="" item_padding_bottom="" item_padding_left="" divider="" divider_color="" odd_row_bgcolor="" even_row_bgcolor="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="30px" margin_left="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" parent_dynamic_content=""][fusion_li_item]Bookings may already have been made[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Payments can arrive days later[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]References may not always reconcile cleanly[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Finance teams often need to manually track outstanding balances[/fusion_li_item][/fusion_checklist][fusion_imageframe image_id="6897|full" aspect_ratio="" custom_aspect_ratio="100" aspect_ratio_position="" skip_lazy_load="" lightbox="no" gallery_id="" lightbox_image="" lightbox_image_id="" alt="" link="" linktarget="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" max_width="70%" sticky_max_width="" align_medium="none" align_small="none" align="left" mask="" custom_mask="" mask_size="" mask_custom_size="" mask_position="" mask_custom_position="" mask_repeat="" style_type="" blur="" stylecolor="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" hover_type="none" magnify_full_img="" magnify_duration="120" scroll_height="100" scroll_speed="1" margin_top_medium="" margin_right_medium="" margin_bottom_medium="" margin_left_medium="" margin_top_small="" margin_right_small="" margin_bottom_small="" margin_left_small="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" bordersize="" bordercolor="" borderradius="" z_index="" caption_style="off" caption_align_medium="none" caption_align_small="none" caption_align="none" caption_title="" caption_text="" caption_title_tag="2" fusion_font_family_caption_title_font="" fusion_font_variant_caption_title_font="" caption_title_size="" caption_title_line_height="" caption_title_letter_spacing="" caption_title_transform="" caption_title_color="" caption_background_color="" fusion_font_family_caption_text_font="" fusion_font_variant_caption_text_font="" caption_text_size="" caption_text_line_height="" caption_text_letter_spacing="" caption_text_transform="" caption_text_color="" caption_border_color="" caption_overlay_color="" caption_margin_top="" caption_margin_right="" caption_margin_bottom="" caption_margin_left="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0"]https://www.hivelink.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HMRC-Recognised-Icon.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_title title_type="text" marquee_direction="left" marquee_speed="15000" rotation_effect="bounceIn" display_time="1200" highlight_effect="circle" loop_animation="off" highlight_width="9" highlight_top_margin="0" before_text="" rotation_text="" highlight_text="" after_text="" title_link="off" link_url="" link_target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" content_align_medium="" content_align_small="" content_align="left" size="5" animated_font_size="" fusion_font_family_title_font="" fusion_font_variant_title_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" animated_text_color="" text_shadow="no" text_shadow_vertical="" text_shadow_horizontal="" text_shadow_blur="0" text_shadow_color="" text_stroke="no" text_stroke_size="1" text_stroke_color="" text_overflow="none" margin_top_medium="" margin_right_medium="" margin_bottom_medium="" margin_left_medium="" margin_top_small="" margin_right_small="" margin_bottom_small="" margin_left_small="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" margin_top_mobile="" margin_bottom_mobile="" gradient_font="no" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" highlight_color="" style_type="default" sep_color="" link_color="" link_hover_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""] With Hivelink’s HMRC-recognised integration: [/fusion_title][fusion_checklist type="icons" icon="fa-check fas" iconcolor="var(--awb-color4)" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circle="no" circlecolor="" textcolor="" size="" item_padding_top="" item_padding_right="" item_padding_bottom="" item_padding_left="" divider="" divider_color="" odd_row_bgcolor="" even_row_bgcolor="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="30px" margin_left="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" parent_dynamic_content=""][fusion_li_item]Parents connect their HMRC account directly[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]TFC is selected at checkout like a normal payment method[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Payments are automated along with references and reconciliation[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Payments land in the providers account much quicker - often same day[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Providers no longer need to wait for parents to manually transfer funds after booking[/fusion_li_item][/fusion_checklist][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="" rule_size="" rule_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" user_select="" content_alignment_medium="" content_alignment_small="" content_alignment="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" fusion_font_family_text_font="" fusion_font_variant_text_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] This removes much of the traditional delay and reconciliation workload associated with Tax-Free Childcare payments - making things easier for parents and providers alike. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Is there a limit to how much Tax-Free Childcare can be used?

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background_custom_size_medium="" background_custom_size_small="" background_blend_mode_medium="" background_blend_mode_small="" background_blend_mode="none" background_slider_images="" background_slider_position="" background_slider_skip_lazy_loading="no" background_slider_loop="yes" background_slider_pause_on_hover="no" background_slider_slideshow_speed="5000" background_slider_animation="fade" background_slider_direction="up" background_slider_animation_speed="800" background_slider_blend_mode="" render_logics="" sticky="off" sticky_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_offset="" absolute="off" absolute_props="" filter_type="regular" filter_hover_element="self" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0" transform_type="regular" transform_hover_element="self" transform_scale_x="1" transform_scale_y="1" transform_translate_x="0" transform_translate_y="0" transform_rotate="0" transform_skew_x="0" transform_skew_y="0" transform_scale_x_hover="1" transform_scale_y_hover="1" transform_translate_x_hover="0" transform_translate_y_hover="0" transform_rotate_hover="0" transform_skew_x_hover="0" transform_skew_y_hover="0" transform_origin="" transition_duration="300" transition_easing="ease" transition_custom_easing="" motion_effects="" scroll_motion_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" last="true" border_position="all" first="true"][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="" rule_size="" rule_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" user_select="" content_alignment_medium="" content_alignment_small="" content_alignment="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" fusion_font_family_text_font="" fusion_font_variant_text_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] HM Revenue and Customs Tax-Free Childcare has limits on how much government top-up can be received per child. The government will add: [/fusion_text][fusion_checklist type="icons" icon="" iconcolor="var(--awb-color5)" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circle="no" circlecolor="" textcolor="" size="" item_padding_top="" item_padding_right="" item_padding_bottom="" item_padding_left="" divider="" divider_color="" odd_row_bgcolor="" even_row_bgcolor="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" parent_dynamic_content=""][fusion_li_item icon="fa-calendar-alt fas" iconcolor="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circlecolor=""] Up to £500 every 3 months per child [/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon="fa-equals fas" iconcolor="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circlecolor=""] Equivalent to up to £2,000 per year per child [/fusion_li_item][/fusion_checklist][fusion_title title_type="text" marquee_direction="left" marquee_speed="15000" rotation_effect="bounceIn" display_time="1200" highlight_effect="circle" loop_animation="off" highlight_width="9" highlight_top_margin="0" before_text="" rotation_text="" highlight_text="" after_text="" title_link="off" link_url="" link_target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" content_align_medium="" content_align_small="" content_align="left" size="5" animated_font_size="" fusion_font_family_title_font="" fusion_font_variant_title_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" animated_text_color="" text_shadow="no" text_shadow_vertical="" text_shadow_horizontal="" text_shadow_blur="0" text_shadow_color="" text_stroke="no" text_stroke_size="1" text_stroke_color="" text_overflow="none" margin_top_medium="" margin_right_medium="" margin_bottom_medium="" margin_left_medium="" margin_top_small="" margin_right_small="" margin_bottom_small="" margin_left_small="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" margin_top_mobile="" margin_bottom_mobile="" gradient_font="no" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" highlight_color="" style_type="default" sep_color="" link_color="" link_hover_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""] For disabled children, the limit increases to: [/fusion_title][fusion_checklist type="icons" icon="" iconcolor="var(--awb-color5)" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circle="no" circlecolor="" textcolor="" size="" item_padding_top="" item_padding_right="" item_padding_bottom="" item_padding_left="" divider="" divider_color="" odd_row_bgcolor="" even_row_bgcolor="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" parent_dynamic_content=""][fusion_li_item icon="fa-calendar-alt fas" iconcolor="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circlecolor=""] Up to £1000 every 3 months per child [/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon="fa-equals fas" iconcolor="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circlecolor=""] Equivalent to up to £4,000 per year per child [/fusion_li_item][/fusion_checklist][fusion_title title_type="text" marquee_direction="left" marquee_speed="15000" rotation_effect="bounceIn" display_time="1200" highlight_effect="circle" loop_animation="off" highlight_width="9" highlight_top_margin="0" before_text="" rotation_text="" highlight_text="" after_text="" title_link="off" link_url="" link_target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" content_align_medium="" content_align_small="" content_align="left" size="5" animated_font_size="" fusion_font_family_title_font="" fusion_font_variant_title_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" animated_text_color="" text_shadow="no" text_shadow_vertical="" text_shadow_horizontal="" text_shadow_blur="0" text_shadow_color="" text_stroke="no" text_stroke_size="1" text_stroke_color="" text_overflow="none" margin_top_medium="" margin_right_medium="" margin_bottom_medium="" margin_left_medium="" margin_top_small="" margin_right_small="" margin_bottom_small="" margin_left_small="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" margin_top_mobile="" margin_bottom_mobile="" gradient_font="no" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" highlight_color="" style_type="default" sep_color="" link_color="" link_hover_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""] What does this mean in practice? [/fusion_title][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="" rule_size="" rule_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" user_select="" content_alignment_medium="" content_alignment_small="" content_alignment="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" fusion_font_family_text_font="" fusion_font_variant_text_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] Because the government contributes 20%, to receive the full top up allowance, parents would need annual childcare costs totalling: [/fusion_text][fusion_counters_box columns="2" color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" title_size="" icon="" icon_size="" icon_top="" body_color="" body_size="" border_color="" animation_offset="bottom-in-view" margin_top="15px" margin_right="" margin_bottom="25px" margin_left="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id=""][fusion_counter_box value="12000" delimiter="" unit="£" unit_pos="prefix" icon="" direction="up"]Per child[/fusion_counter_box][fusion_counter_box value="24000" delimiter="" unit="£" unit_pos="prefix" icon="" direction="up"]Per disabled child[/fusion_counter_box][/fusion_counters_box][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="" rule_size="" rule_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" user_select="" content_alignment_medium="" content_alignment_small="" content_alignment="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" fusion_font_family_text_font="" fusion_font_variant_text_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] Once the maximum top-up has been reached for that period, parents can still continue paying for childcare through their account - they just will not receive additional government contributions until the next entitlement period begins [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

How long does it take to apply for Tax-Free Childcare?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_mp4="" video_webm="" video_ogv="" video_url="" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" overlay_color="" video_preview_image="" border_color="" border_style="solid" padding_top="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" padding_right=""][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="true" min_height="" hover_type="none" link="" border_sizes_top="" border_sizes_bottom="" border_sizes_left="" border_sizes_right="" first="true"][fusion_text] [/fusion_text][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="" rule_size="" rule_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" user_select="" content_alignment_medium="" content_alignment_small="" content_alignment="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" fusion_font_family_text_font="" fusion_font_variant_text_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] Applying for Tax-Free Childcare is usually a relatively quick online process. For most parents: [/fusion_text][fusion_title title_type="highlight" marquee_direction="left" marquee_speed="15000" rotation_effect="fadeIn" display_time="1200" highlight_effect="double_underline" loop_animation="on" highlight_width="7" highlight_top_margin="20" before_text="The application itself takes around 20–30 minutes to complete." rotation_text="" highlight_text="Many accounts are approved immediately or within a few hours" after_text="" title_link="off" link_url="" link_target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" content_align_medium="" content_align_small="" content_align="left" size="3" animated_font_size="" fusion_font_family_title_font="" fusion_font_variant_title_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="var(--awb-color5)" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" animated_text_color="" text_shadow="no" text_shadow_vertical="" text_shadow_horizontal="" text_shadow_blur="0" text_shadow_color="" text_stroke="no" text_stroke_size="1" text_stroke_color="" text_overflow="none" margin_top_medium="" margin_right_medium="" margin_bottom_medium="" margin_left_medium="" margin_top_small="" margin_right_small="" margin_bottom_small="30px" margin_left_small="" margin_top="0" margin_right="" margin_bottom="45" margin_left="" margin_top_mobile="" margin_bottom_mobile="" gradient_font="no" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" highlight_color="" style_type="default" sep_color="" link_color="" link_hover_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""] [/fusion_title][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="" rule_size="" rule_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" user_select="" content_alignment_medium="" content_alignment_small="" content_alignment="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" fusion_font_family_text_font="" fusion_font_variant_text_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] However, in some cases HMRC may need to carry out additional checks, which can extend the process to a few working days or occasionally longer where information needs verifying. [/fusion_text][fusion_title title_type="text" marquee_direction="left" marquee_speed="15000" rotation_effect="bounceIn" display_time="1200" highlight_effect="circle" loop_animation="off" highlight_width="9" highlight_top_margin="0" before_text="" rotation_text="" highlight_text="" after_text="" title_link="off" link_url="" link_target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" content_align_medium="" content_align_small="" content_align="left" size="5" animated_font_size="" fusion_font_family_title_font="" fusion_font_variant_title_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" animated_text_color="" text_shadow="no" text_shadow_vertical="" text_shadow_horizontal="" text_shadow_blur="0" text_shadow_color="" text_stroke="no" text_stroke_size="1" text_stroke_color="" text_overflow="none" margin_top_medium="" margin_right_medium="" margin_bottom_medium="" margin_left_medium="" margin_top_small="" margin_right_small="" margin_bottom_small="" margin_left_small="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" margin_top_mobile="" margin_bottom_mobile="" gradient_font="no" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" highlight_color="" style_type="default" sep_color="" link_color="" link_hover_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""] What parents need to make an application: [/fusion_title][fusion_checklist type="icons" icon="" iconcolor="var(--awb-color5)" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circle="no" circlecolor="" textcolor="" size="" item_padding_top="" item_padding_right="" item_padding_bottom="" item_padding_left="" divider="" divider_color="" odd_row_bgcolor="" even_row_bgcolor="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" parent_dynamic_content=""][fusion_li_item icon="fa-address-card fas" iconcolor="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circlecolor=""] National Insurance details [/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon="fa-file-invoice fas" iconcolor="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circlecolor=""] Employment or self-employment information [/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon="fa-money-bill-alt fas" iconcolor="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circlecolor=""] Estimated income details [/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon="fa-baby fas" iconcolor="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circlecolor=""] Their child’s details [/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon="fa-laptop fas" iconcolor="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circlecolor=""] A Government Gateway account (or create one during the process) [/fusion_li_item][/fusion_checklist][fusion_alert type="general" accent_color="#808080" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" background_color="#ffffff" border_size="" border_radius_top_left="" border_radius_top_right="" border_radius_bottom_right="" border_radius_bottom_left="" icon="" text_align="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="40px" margin_right="" margin_bottom="40px" margin_left="" text_transform="" link_color_inheritance="" dismissable="no" box_shadow="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] Important ongoing requirement - Once approved, parents must usually reconfirm their eligibility with HMRC every 3 months to continue receiving government top-ups. [/fusion_alert][fusion_button link="https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare/apply-for-tax-free-childcare" title="" target="_blank" link_attributes="" alignment_medium="" alignment_small="" alignment="center" modal="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" color="default" button_gradient_top_color_hover="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" button_gradient_top_color="" button_gradient_bottom_color_hover="" button_gradient_bottom_color="" gradient_start_position="" gradient_end_position="" gradient_type="" radial_direction="" linear_angle="180" accent_hover_color="" accent_color="" type="" bevel_color="" bevel_color_hover="" border_top="" border_right="" border_bottom="" border_left="" border_radius_top_left="" border_radius_top_right="" border_radius_bottom_right="" border_radius_bottom_left="" border_hover_color="" border_color="" size="xlarge" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" fusion_font_family_button_font="" fusion_font_variant_button_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" stretch="yes" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" icon="" icon_position="left" icon_divider="no" hover_transition="none" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""]Apply for Tax-Free Childcare Here[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

What can be paid for using Tax-Free Childcare?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" hundred_percent_height="no" min_height_medium="" min_height_small="" min_height="" hundred_percent_height_scroll="no" align_content="stretch" flex_align_items="flex-start" flex_justify_content="flex-start" flex_wrap_medium="" flex_wrap_small="" flex_wrap="wrap" flex_column_spacing="" hundred_percent_height_center_content="yes" equal_height_columns="no" container_tag="div" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" status="published" publish_date="" class="" id="" spacing_medium="" margin_top_medium="" margin_bottom_medium="" spacing_small="" margin_top_small="" margin_bottom_small="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" padding_dimensions_medium="" padding_top_medium="" padding_right_medium="" padding_bottom_medium="" padding_left_medium="" padding_dimensions_small="" padding_top_small="" padding_right_small="" padding_bottom_small="" padding_left_small="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" link_hover_color="" link_color="" border_sizes="" border_sizes_top="" border_sizes_right="" border_sizes_bottom="" border_sizes_left="" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_radius_top_left="" border_radius_top_right="" border_radius_bottom_right="" border_radius_bottom_left="" box_shadow="no" box_shadow_vertical="" box_shadow_horizontal="" box_shadow_blur="0" box_shadow_spread="0" box_shadow_color="" box_shadow_style="" z_index="" overflow="" background_color_medium="" background_color_small="" background_color="" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" background_image_medium="" background_image_small="" background_image="" skip_lazy_load="" background_position_medium="" background_position_small="" background_position="center center" background_repeat_medium="" background_repeat_small="" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_size_medium="" background_size_small="" background_size="" background_custom_size="" background_custom_size_medium="" background_custom_size_small="" fade="no" background_parallax="none" enable_mobile="no" parallax_speed="0.3" background_blend_mode_medium="" background_blend_mode_small="" background_blend_mode="none" background_slider_images="" background_slider_position="" background_slider_skip_lazy_loading="no" background_slider_loop="yes" background_slider_pause_on_hover="no" background_slider_slideshow_speed="5000" background_slider_animation="fade" background_slider_direction="up" background_slider_animation_speed="800" background_slider_blend_mode="" video_mp4="" video_webm="" video_ogv="" video_url="" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" video_preview_image="" pattern_bg="none" pattern_custom_bg="" pattern_bg_color="" pattern_bg_style="default" pattern_bg_opacity="100" pattern_bg_size="" pattern_bg_blend_mode="normal" mask_bg="none" mask_custom_bg="" mask_bg_color="" mask_bg_accent_color="" mask_bg_style="default" mask_bg_opacity="100" mask_bg_transform="left" mask_bg_blend_mode="normal" render_logics="" logics="" absolute="off" absolute_devices="small,medium,large" sticky="off" sticky_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_background_color="" sticky_height="" sticky_offset="" sticky_transition_offset="0" scroll_offset="0" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" align_self="auto" content_layout="column" align_content="flex-start" valign_content="flex-start" content_wrap="wrap" spacing="" center_content="no" column_tag="div" link="" target="_self" link_description="" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" type_medium="" type_small="" flex_grow_medium="" flex_grow_small="" flex_grow="" flex_shrink_medium="" flex_shrink_small="" flex_shrink="" order_medium="0" order_small="0" dimension_spacing_medium="" dimension_spacing_small="" dimension_spacing="" dimension_margin_medium="" dimension_margin_small="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" padding_medium="" padding_small="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" hover_type="none" border_sizes="" border_color_hover="" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_radius="" box_shadow="no" dimension_box_shadow="" box_shadow_blur="0" box_shadow_spread="0" box_shadow_color="" box_shadow_style="" z_index_hover="" z_index="" overflow="" background_type="single" background_color_medium="" background_color_small="" background_color_medium_hover="" background_color_small_hover="" background_color_hover="" background_color="" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" background_image_medium="" background_image_small="" background_image="" background_image_id_medium="" background_image_id_small="" background_image_id="" lazy_load="none" skip_lazy_load="" background_position_medium="" background_position_small="" background_position="left top" background_repeat_medium="" background_repeat_small="" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_size_medium="" background_size_small="" background_size="" background_custom_size="" background_custom_size_medium="" background_custom_size_small="" background_blend_mode_medium="" background_blend_mode_small="" background_blend_mode="none" background_slider_images="" background_slider_position="" background_slider_skip_lazy_loading="no" background_slider_loop="yes" background_slider_pause_on_hover="no" background_slider_slideshow_speed="5000" background_slider_animation="fade" background_slider_direction="up" background_slider_animation_speed="800" background_slider_blend_mode="" render_logics="" sticky="off" sticky_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_offset="" absolute="off" absolute_props="" filter_type="regular" filter_hover_element="self" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0" transform_type="regular" transform_hover_element="self" transform_scale_x="1" transform_scale_y="1" transform_translate_x="0" transform_translate_y="0" transform_rotate="0" transform_skew_x="0" transform_skew_y="0" transform_scale_x_hover="1" transform_scale_y_hover="1" transform_translate_x_hover="0" transform_translate_y_hover="0" transform_rotate_hover="0" transform_skew_x_hover="0" transform_skew_y_hover="0" transform_origin="" transition_duration="300" transition_easing="ease" transition_custom_easing="" motion_effects="" scroll_motion_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" last="true" border_position="all" first="true"][fusion_title title_type="text" marquee_direction="left" marquee_speed="15000" rotation_effect="bounceIn" display_time="1200" highlight_effect="circle" loop_animation="off" highlight_width="9" highlight_top_margin="0" before_text="" rotation_text="" highlight_text="" after_text="" title_link="off" link_url="" link_target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" content_align_medium="" content_align_small="" content_align="left" size="5" animated_font_size="" fusion_font_family_title_font="" fusion_font_variant_title_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" animated_text_color="" text_shadow="no" text_shadow_vertical="" text_shadow_horizontal="" text_shadow_blur="0" text_shadow_color="" text_stroke="no" text_stroke_size="1" text_stroke_color="" text_overflow="none" margin_top_medium="" margin_right_medium="" margin_bottom_medium="" margin_left_medium="" margin_top_small="" margin_right_small="" margin_bottom_small="" margin_left_small="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" margin_top_mobile="" margin_bottom_mobile="" gradient_font="no" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" highlight_color="" style_type="default" sep_color="" link_color="" link_hover_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""] Families can use Tax-Free Childcare to pay for any approved childcare (usually Ofsted registered), including: [/fusion_title][fusion_checklist type="icons" icon="fa-check-circle fas" iconcolor="var(--awb-color5)" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circle="no" circlecolor="" textcolor="" size="" item_padding_top="" item_padding_right="" item_padding_bottom="" item_padding_left="" divider="" divider_color="" odd_row_bgcolor="" even_row_bgcolor="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" parent_dynamic_content=""][fusion_li_item]Holiday clubs[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Breakfast clubs[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]After school clubs[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Wraparound care[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Childminders[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Nurseries[/fusion_li_item][/fusion_checklist][fusion_title title_type="text" marquee_direction="left" marquee_speed="15000" rotation_effect="bounceIn" display_time="1200" highlight_effect="circle" loop_animation="off" highlight_width="9" highlight_top_margin="0" before_text="" rotation_text="" highlight_text="" after_text="" title_link="off" link_url="" link_target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" content_align_medium="" content_align_small="" content_align="left" size="5" animated_font_size="" fusion_font_family_title_font="" fusion_font_variant_title_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" animated_text_color="" text_shadow="no" text_shadow_vertical="" text_shadow_horizontal="" text_shadow_blur="0" text_shadow_color="" text_stroke="no" text_stroke_size="1" text_stroke_color="" text_overflow="none" margin_top_medium="" margin_right_medium="" margin_bottom_medium="" margin_left_medium="" margin_top_small="" margin_right_small="" margin_bottom_small="" margin_left_small="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" margin_top_mobile="" margin_bottom_mobile="" gradient_font="no" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" highlight_color="" style_type="default" sep_color="" link_color="" link_hover_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""] Tax-Free Childcare can also usually be used for: [/fusion_title][fusion_checklist type="icons" icon="fa-check-circle fas" iconcolor="var(--awb-color5)" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circle="no" circlecolor="" textcolor="" size="" item_padding_top="" item_padding_right="" item_padding_bottom="" item_padding_left="" divider="" divider_color="" odd_row_bgcolor="" even_row_bgcolor="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" parent_dynamic_content=""][fusion_li_item]Nursery deposits[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Retainer fees during holiday periods[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Childcare payments made in advance[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon="" iconcolor="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circlecolor=""] Extras such as lunches or trips, where these are included as part of the overall childcare costs charged by the childcare provider [/fusion_li_item][/fusion_checklist][fusion_title title_type="text" marquee_direction="left" marquee_speed="15000" rotation_effect="bounceIn" display_time="1200" highlight_effect="circle" loop_animation="off" highlight_width="9" highlight_top_margin="0" before_text="" rotation_text="" highlight_text="" after_text="" title_link="off" link_url="" link_target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" content_align_medium="" content_align_small="" content_align="left" size="5" animated_font_size="" fusion_font_family_title_font="" fusion_font_variant_title_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" animated_text_color="" text_shadow="no" text_shadow_vertical="" text_shadow_horizontal="" text_shadow_blur="0" text_shadow_color="" text_stroke="no" text_stroke_size="1" text_stroke_color="" text_overflow="none" margin_top_medium="" margin_right_medium="" margin_bottom_medium="" margin_left_medium="" margin_top_small="" margin_right_small="" margin_bottom_small="" margin_left_small="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" margin_top_mobile="" margin_bottom_mobile="" gradient_font="no" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" highlight_color="" style_type="default" sep_color="" link_color="" link_hover_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""] What cannot be paid for? [/fusion_title][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="" rule_size="" rule_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" user_select="" content_alignment_medium="" content_alignment_small="" content_alignment="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" fusion_font_family_text_font="" fusion_font_variant_text_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] Tax-Free Childcare cannot be used towards any part of a child’s compulsory education costs such as: school lunches, school uniform, trips during the normal school day, private lessons during school hours, such as music tuition. Whether activities qualify depends on whether they are classed as approved childcare. For example: [/fusion_text][fusion_checklist type="icons" icon="fa-check-circle fas" iconcolor="var(--awb-color5)" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circle="no" circlecolor="" textcolor="" size="" item_padding_top="" item_padding_right="" item_padding_bottom="" item_padding_left="" divider="" divider_color="" odd_row_bgcolor="" even_row_bgcolor="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" parent_dynamic_content=""][fusion_li_item icon="fa-check-circle fas" iconcolor="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circlecolor=""] An Ofsted registered holiday club may qualify [/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item icon="fa-times-circle fas" iconcolor="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circlecolor=""] A standalone sports coaching session or extra-curricular club may not [/fusion_li_item][/fusion_checklist][fusion_alert type="general" accent_color="#808080" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" background_color="#ffffff" border_size="" border_radius_top_left="" border_radius_top_right="" border_radius_bottom_right="" border_radius_bottom_left="" icon="" text_align="left" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="40px" margin_right="" margin_bottom="40px" margin_left="" text_transform="" link_color_inheritance="" dismissable="no" box_shadow="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] The childcare provider must also be registered with HMRC’s Tax-Free Childcare scheme for payments to be eligible. [/fusion_alert][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Who can apply for Tax-Free Childcare?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" hundred_percent_height="no" hundred_percent_height_scroll="no" align_content="stretch" flex_align_items="flex-start" flex_justify_content="flex-start" flex_wrap="wrap" hundred_percent_height_center_content="yes" equal_height_columns="no" container_tag="div" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" status="published" border_style="solid" box_shadow="no" box_shadow_blur="0" box_shadow_spread="0" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" enable_mobile="no" parallax_speed="0.3" background_blend_mode="none" background_slider_skip_lazy_loading="no" background_slider_loop="yes" background_slider_pause_on_hover="no" background_slider_slideshow_speed="5000" background_slider_animation="fade" background_slider_direction="up" background_slider_animation_speed="800" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" pattern_bg="none" pattern_bg_style="default" pattern_bg_opacity="100" pattern_bg_blend_mode="normal" mask_bg="none" mask_bg_style="default" mask_bg_opacity="100" mask_bg_transform="left" mask_bg_blend_mode="normal" absolute="off" absolute_devices="small,medium,large" sticky="off" sticky_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_transition_offset="0" scroll_offset="0" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" align_self="auto" content_layout="column" align_content="flex-start" valign_content="flex-start" content_wrap="wrap" center_content="no" column_tag="div" target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" order_medium="0" order_small="0" hover_type="none" border_style="solid" box_shadow="no" box_shadow_blur="0" box_shadow_spread="0" background_type="single" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" lazy_load="none" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_blend_mode="none" background_slider_skip_lazy_loading="no" background_slider_loop="yes" background_slider_pause_on_hover="no" background_slider_slideshow_speed="5000" background_slider_animation="fade" background_slider_direction="up" background_slider_animation_speed="800" sticky="off" sticky_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" absolute="off" filter_type="regular" filter_hover_element="self" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0" transform_type="regular" transform_hover_element="self" transform_scale_x="1" transform_scale_y="1" transform_translate_x="0" transform_translate_y="0" transform_rotate="0" transform_skew_x="0" transform_skew_y="0" transform_scale_x_hover="1" transform_scale_y_hover="1" transform_translate_x_hover="0" transform_translate_y_hover="0" transform_rotate_hover="0" transform_skew_x_hover="0" transform_skew_y_hover="0" transition_duration="300" transition_easing="ease" scroll_motion_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" last="true" border_position="all" first="true" min_height="" link=""][fusion_text hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0"] HM Revenue and Customs Tax-Free Childcare is available to most working families in the UK, including employed and self-employed parents. In general, parents may be eligible if: [/fusion_text][fusion_checklist type="icons" icon="fa-check-circle fas" iconcolor="var(--awb-color5)" circle="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility"][fusion_li_item]Your Content Goes Here[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]They have a child aged 11 or under (or up to 16 if the child has a disability)[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]The child usually lives with them[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Both parents are working, or the sole parent is working in a single-parent household[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Each parent earns at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at National Minimum or Living Wage rates[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Neither parent earns more than £100,000 per year[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]They have a National Insurance number[/fusion_li_item][/fusion_checklist][fusion_text hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0"] Parents can still qualify in some situations where they are temporarily not working, such as: m aternity or paternity leave, Adoption leave or Sick leave [/fusion_text][fusion_title title_type="text" marquee_direction="left" marquee_speed="15000" rotation_effect="bounceIn" display_time="1200" highlight_effect="circle" loop_animation="off" highlight_width="9" highlight_top_margin="0" title_link="off" link_target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" content_align="left" size="5" text_shadow="no" text_shadow_blur="0" text_stroke="no" text_stroke_size="1" text_overflow="none" gradient_font="no" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" style_type="default" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0"] Tax-Free Childcare for self-employed parents [/fusion_title][fusion_text hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0"] Self-employed parents can also apply for Tax-Free Childcare. When first becoming self-employed, there may be a temporary “start-up period” where the minimum income requirement does not apply. [/fusion_text][fusion_title title_type="text" marquee_direction="left" marquee_speed="15000" rotation_effect="bounceIn" display_time="1200" highlight_effect="circle" loop_animation="off" highlight_width="9" highlight_top_margin="0" title_link="off" link_target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" content_align="left" size="5" text_shadow="no" text_shadow_blur="0" text_stroke="no" text_stroke_size="1" text_overflow="none" gradient_font="no" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" style_type="default" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0"] Parents are generally not eligible if: [/fusion_title][fusion_checklist type="icons" icon="fa-times-circle fas" iconcolor="var(--awb-color5)" circle="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility"][fusion_li_item]They already receive Universal Credit or Tax Credits as those schemes are more beneficial[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]One parent earns over £100,000 per year[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]The child is no longer within the eligible age range[/fusion_li_item][/fusion_checklist][fusion_alert type="general" accent_color="#808080" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" background_color="#ffffff" border_size="" border_radius_top_left="" border_radius_top_right="" border_radius_bottom_right="" border_radius_bottom_left="" icon="" text_align="left" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="30px" margin_right="" margin_bottom="30px" margin_left="" text_transform="" link_color_inheritance="" dismissable="no" box_shadow="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] Important to know: Eligibility is not permanent - Parents must normally reconfirm their details with HMRC every 3 months to continue receiving support. If they do not reconfirm in time, government top-up payments may stop temporarily. [/fusion_alert][fusion_button link="https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare/check-if-youre-eligible" title="" target="_blank" link_attributes="" alignment_medium="" alignment_small="" alignment="center" modal="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" color="default" button_gradient_top_color_hover="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" button_gradient_top_color="" button_gradient_bottom_color_hover="" button_gradient_bottom_color="" gradient_start_position="" gradient_end_position="" gradient_type="" radial_direction="" linear_angle="180" accent_hover_color="" accent_color="" type="" bevel_color="" bevel_color_hover="" border_top="" border_right="" border_bottom="" border_left="" border_radius_top_left="" border_radius_top_right="" border_radius_bottom_right="" border_radius_bottom_left="" border_hover_color="" border_color="" size="xlarge" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" fusion_font_family_button_font="" fusion_font_variant_button_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" stretch="yes" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" icon="" icon_position="left" icon_divider="no" hover_transition="none" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""]More information on Tax-Free Childcare eligibility[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

What is the difference between Tax-Free Childcare and Childcare Vouchers?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" hundred_percent_height="no" min_height_medium="" min_height_small="" min_height="" hundred_percent_height_scroll="no" align_content="stretch" flex_align_items="flex-start" flex_justify_content="flex-start" flex_wrap_medium="" flex_wrap_small="" flex_wrap="wrap" flex_column_spacing="" hundred_percent_height_center_content="yes" equal_height_columns="no" container_tag="div" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" status="published" publish_date="" class="" id="" spacing_medium="" margin_top_medium="" margin_bottom_medium="" spacing_small="" margin_top_small="" margin_bottom_small="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" padding_dimensions_medium="" padding_top_medium="" padding_right_medium="" padding_bottom_medium="" padding_left_medium="" padding_dimensions_small="" padding_top_small="" padding_right_small="" padding_bottom_small="" padding_left_small="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" link_hover_color="" link_color="" border_sizes="" border_sizes_top="" border_sizes_right="" border_sizes_bottom="" border_sizes_left="" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_radius_top_left="" border_radius_top_right="" border_radius_bottom_right="" border_radius_bottom_left="" box_shadow="no" box_shadow_vertical="" box_shadow_horizontal="" box_shadow_blur="0" box_shadow_spread="0" box_shadow_color="" box_shadow_style="" z_index="" overflow="" background_color_medium="" background_color_small="" background_color="" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" background_image_medium="" background_image_small="" background_image="" skip_lazy_load="" background_position_medium="" background_position_small="" background_position="center center" background_repeat_medium="" background_repeat_small="" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_size_medium="" background_size_small="" background_size="" background_custom_size="" background_custom_size_medium="" background_custom_size_small="" fade="no" background_parallax="none" enable_mobile="no" parallax_speed="0.3" background_blend_mode_medium="" background_blend_mode_small="" background_blend_mode="none" background_slider_images="" background_slider_position="" background_slider_skip_lazy_loading="no" background_slider_loop="yes" background_slider_pause_on_hover="no" background_slider_slideshow_speed="5000" background_slider_animation="fade" background_slider_direction="up" background_slider_animation_speed="800" background_slider_blend_mode="" video_mp4="" video_webm="" video_ogv="" video_url="" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" video_preview_image="" pattern_bg="none" pattern_custom_bg="" pattern_bg_color="" pattern_bg_style="default" pattern_bg_opacity="100" pattern_bg_size="" pattern_bg_blend_mode="normal" mask_bg="none" mask_custom_bg="" mask_bg_color="" mask_bg_accent_color="" mask_bg_style="default" mask_bg_opacity="100" mask_bg_transform="left" mask_bg_blend_mode="normal" render_logics="" logics="" absolute="off" absolute_devices="small,medium,large" sticky="off" sticky_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_background_color="" sticky_height="" sticky_offset="" sticky_transition_offset="0" scroll_offset="0" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" align_self="auto" content_layout="column" align_content="flex-start" valign_content="flex-start" content_wrap="wrap" spacing="" center_content="no" column_tag="div" link="" target="_self" link_description="" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" type_medium="" type_small="" flex_grow_medium="" flex_grow_small="" flex_grow="" flex_shrink_medium="" flex_shrink_small="" flex_shrink="" order_medium="0" order_small="0" dimension_spacing_medium="" dimension_spacing_small="" dimension_spacing="" dimension_margin_medium="" dimension_margin_small="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" padding_medium="" padding_small="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" hover_type="none" border_sizes="" border_color_hover="" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_radius="" box_shadow="no" dimension_box_shadow="" box_shadow_blur="0" box_shadow_spread="0" box_shadow_color="" box_shadow_style="" z_index_hover="" z_index="" overflow="" background_type="single" background_color_medium="" background_color_small="" background_color_medium_hover="" background_color_small_hover="" background_color_hover="" background_color="" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" background_image_medium="" background_image_small="" background_image="" background_image_id_medium="" background_image_id_small="" background_image_id="" lazy_load="none" skip_lazy_load="" background_position_medium="" background_position_small="" background_position="left top" background_repeat_medium="" background_repeat_small="" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_size_medium="" background_size_small="" background_size="" background_custom_size="" background_custom_size_medium="" background_custom_size_small="" background_blend_mode_medium="" background_blend_mode_small="" background_blend_mode="none" background_slider_images="" background_slider_position="" background_slider_skip_lazy_loading="no" background_slider_loop="yes" background_slider_pause_on_hover="no" background_slider_slideshow_speed="5000" background_slider_animation="fade" background_slider_direction="up" background_slider_animation_speed="800" background_slider_blend_mode="" render_logics="" sticky="off" sticky_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_offset="" absolute="off" absolute_props="" filter_type="regular" filter_hover_element="self" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0" transform_type="regular" transform_hover_element="self" transform_scale_x="1" transform_scale_y="1" transform_translate_x="0" transform_translate_y="0" transform_rotate="0" transform_skew_x="0" transform_skew_y="0" transform_scale_x_hover="1" transform_scale_y_hover="1" transform_translate_x_hover="0" transform_translate_y_hover="0" transform_rotate_hover="0" transform_skew_x_hover="0" transform_skew_y_hover="0" transform_origin="" transition_duration="300" transition_easing="ease" transition_custom_easing="" motion_effects="" scroll_motion_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" last="true" border_position="all" first="true"][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="" rule_size="" rule_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" user_select="" content_alignment_medium="" content_alignment_small="" content_alignment="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" fusion_font_family_text_font="" fusion_font_variant_text_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] Although both schemes help parents reduce childcare costs, they work very differently. Childcare Vouchers were an older salary sacrifice scheme run through employers. Employees gave up part of their salary in exchange for childcare vouchers before tax and National Insurance deductions were applied. [/fusion_text][fusion_title title_type="text" marquee_direction="left" marquee_speed="15000" rotation_effect="bounceIn" display_time="1200" highlight_effect="circle" loop_animation="off" highlight_width="9" highlight_top_margin="0" before_text="" rotation_text="" highlight_text="" after_text="" title_link="off" link_url="" link_target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" content_align_medium="" content_align_small="" content_align="left" size="5" animated_font_size="" fusion_font_family_title_font="" fusion_font_variant_title_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" animated_text_color="" text_shadow="no" text_shadow_vertical="" text_shadow_horizontal="" text_shadow_blur="0" text_shadow_color="" text_stroke="no" text_stroke_size="1" text_stroke_color="" text_overflow="none" margin_top_medium="" margin_right_medium="" margin_bottom_medium="" margin_left_medium="" margin_top_small="" margin_right_small="" margin_bottom_small="" margin_left_small="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" margin_top_mobile="" margin_bottom_mobile="" gradient_font="no" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" highlight_color="" style_type="default" sep_color="" link_color="" link_hover_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""] Childcare Vouchers: [/fusion_title][fusion_checklist type="icons" icon="fa-circle fas" iconcolor="var(--awb-color5)" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circle="no" circlecolor="" textcolor="" size="" item_padding_top="" item_padding_right="" item_padding_bottom="" item_padding_left="" divider="" divider_color="" odd_row_bgcolor="" even_row_bgcolor="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" parent_dynamic_content=""][fusion_li_item]The scheme closed to new applicants in October 2018[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Parents already enrolled can usually continue using it if they remain eligible[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]It was operated through employers rather than directly through HMRC[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Savings depended on tax band and salary sacrifice arrangements[/fusion_li_item][/fusion_checklist][fusion_title title_type="text" marquee_direction="left" marquee_speed="15000" rotation_effect="bounceIn" display_time="1200" highlight_effect="circle" loop_animation="off" highlight_width="9" highlight_top_margin="0" before_text="" rotation_text="" highlight_text="" after_text="" title_link="off" link_url="" link_target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" content_align_medium="" content_align_small="" content_align="left" size="5" animated_font_size="" fusion_font_family_title_font="" fusion_font_variant_title_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" animated_text_color="" text_shadow="no" text_shadow_vertical="" text_shadow_horizontal="" text_shadow_blur="0" text_shadow_color="" text_stroke="no" text_stroke_size="1" text_stroke_color="" text_overflow="none" margin_top_medium="" margin_right_medium="" margin_bottom_medium="" margin_left_medium="" margin_top_small="" margin_right_small="" margin_bottom_small="" margin_left_small="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" margin_top_mobile="" margin_bottom_mobile="" gradient_font="no" gradient_start_color="" gradient_end_color="" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" highlight_color="" style_type="default" sep_color="" link_color="" link_hover_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""] HMRC Tax-Free Childcare: [/fusion_title][fusion_checklist type="icons" icon="fa-check-circle fas" iconcolor="var(--awb-color5)" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" circle="no" circlecolor="" textcolor="" size="" item_padding_top="" item_padding_right="" item_padding_bottom="" item_padding_left="" divider="" divider_color="" odd_row_bgcolor="" even_row_bgcolor="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" parent_dynamic_content=""][fusion_li_item]Is managed directly through HMRC[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Can usually be used by self-employed and employed parents[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Is available to new applicants[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Works per child[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Requires the childcare provider to be registered with the scheme[/fusion_li_item][fusion_li_item]Payments integrated directly from Hivelink - HMRC recognised booking system.[/fusion_li_item][/fusion_checklist][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

What is Tax-Free Childcare?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_mp4="" video_webm="" video_ogv="" video_url="" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" overlay_color="" video_preview_image="" border_color="" border_style="solid" padding_top="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" padding_right=""][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="true" min_height="" hover_type="none" link="" border_sizes_top="" border_sizes_bottom="" border_sizes_left="" border_sizes_right="" first="true"][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="" rule_size="" rule_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" user_select="" content_alignment_medium="" content_alignment_small="" content_alignment="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" fusion_font_family_text_font="" fusion_font_variant_text_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset="" logics=""] HM Revenue and Customs Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) is a UK government scheme designed to help working families with the cost of childcare. Eligible parents open an online childcare account through HMRC and can use it to pay ofsted registered childcare providers. For every £8 a parent pays in, the government adds an extra £2 — effectively giving up to 20% support towards childcare costs. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

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Frequently Asked Questions

Browse answers to common questions about the Hivelink booking and activity management platform, all in one place.

How does Universal Credit affect Tax-Free Childcare?
1 min readViews: 21
How long does it take for Tax-Free Childcare top-up funds to become available?
1 min readViews: 13
Is there a limit to how much Tax-Free Childcare can be used?
1 min readViews: 24
How long does it take to apply for Tax-Free Childcare?
1 min readViews: 18
What can be paid for using Tax-Free Childcare?
1 min readViews: 16
Who can apply for Tax-Free Childcare?
1 min readViews: 16
What is the difference between Tax-Free Childcare and Childcare Vouchers?
1 min readViews: 13
What is Tax-Free Childcare?
0 min readViews: 79

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Universal Credit affect Tax-Free Childcare?

How long does it take for Tax-Free Childcare top-up funds to become available?

Is there a limit to how much Tax-Free Childcare can be used?

How long does it take to apply for Tax-Free Childcare?

What can be paid for using Tax-Free Childcare?

Who can apply for Tax-Free Childcare?

What is the difference between Tax-Free Childcare and Childcare Vouchers?

What is Tax-Free Childcare?

Recently published articles

HMRC Tax-Free Childcare – Everything you (and your customers) need to know

Reducing Admin and Increasing Flexibility for Wrap Around Care – A Primary School Case Study

A subscription case study – reduce your admin by over 98.5%

Schedule a live demonstration with our team

Schedule a live demonstration with our team

Easy programme management for activity providers.

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