How parents can pay for childcare

The government is introducing new ways to help parents with childcare costs. Parents can find out if they can get help with their childcare costs on a new government website, Best Start in Life. 

There is also more useful information below: 

• 15 hours free childcare for two year olds (eligibility criteria applies)
• 15 hours free childcare for three and four year olds (no eligibility criteria, universally available)
• 30 hours free childcare (for working families with three or four year old children)
• Tax-free childcare (for working families, including the self-employed, with children under 12 years of age) 

This page was last updated on 11 September 2025