At Remitly we realise how tough it can be balancing work and childcare, especially for immigrants who may not have relatives nearby to help them. This is particularly true in the UK now, where childcare costs are so high.
So understanding what you’re entitled to—like free childcare hours and Universal Credit reimbursements—can make a real difference. Here’s our guide to the support available, how to check if you’re eligible, and the steps to apply. We’ll also highlight how employers can help.
Understanding Childcare Support for Working Parents in the UK
If you’re a busy parent balancing employment and family life, it’s useful to know about the different childcare support schemes available.
Overview of childcare support options
The UK government supports various schemes to help working parents with childcare costs, such as:
- Free childcare hours
The 15 or 30 hours per week childcare support programme offers varying levels of assistance with children from nine months to four years old in England. This varies in other regions. - Tax-free childcare
An online account where you deposit funds and receive a 20% government top-up. - Universal Credit or tax credits
Get back a percentage of your monthly childcare fees. - Flexible working or employer-provided benefits
Arrangements for child-friendly working hours.
For more details, check GOV.UK’s information on free childcare if you’re working. You can also look at Money Saving Expert’s guidance on help with childcare costs. Some families use different sources, like free hours and Tax-Free Childcare, to save even more money.
Our smart finance tips are useful for newcomers to the UK who are starting to balance a household budget.
Importance of accessing childcare support while working
Childcare fees can be a big challenge for parents, especially immigrants. Not having relatives nearby to help share childcare may leave parents little choice but to work fewer hours or even stop working altogether.
Taking advantage of government or employer schemes can keep your career path open and ensure your child has a consistent routine in a safe, structured setting. If you have few local support networks, these programmes can help you stay in work.
Formal childcare also offers educational and social benefits. This helps your child transition more easily into nursery or primary school. This is key if your family has recently come to the UK and you want your children to get used to different cultures and languages.
Government Financial Support for Childcare
The UK government provides a variety of childcare assistance programmes, each with its own eligibility rules and application processes. Before applying, consider which scheme aligns best with your family’s needs and personal circumstances.
The 15 and 30 free hours schemes
England typically offers 15 free hours of early education per week, for up to for 38 weeks, to all three- and four-year-olds. Some two-year-olds qualify too, if their family receives certain benefits.
Parents who work and meet certain income limits can get 30 hours of free childcare each week. That adds up to around 1,140 hours a year.
To qualify:
- Both parents must earn a total at least the equivalent of 16 minimum-wage hours per week. If you’re a single parent, the same equivalent applies but just for one earner.
- Neither parent should earn over £100,000 a year.
- You apply for a code at Childcare Choices, and you have to reconfirm your eligibility every three months.
Similar free-hour models exist in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, though rules differ. Once you have your code, you pass it to your registered childcare provider, who claims funding from the local authority. More on the steps can be found at Childcare Choices: 15 and 30 hours support.
Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit
If you get Universal Credit, you could get back up to 85% of your childcare costs. This depends on your family’s income and personal situation.
You need to pay your childcare fees up front, and then claim them back. The maximum you’ll get back is currently £1,014.63 for one child. If you have two or more children, it’s £1,739.37, but both these figures could change with new laws.
Families on older systems like Working Tax Credit might get up to 70% of their childcare bills covered. However, many have transitioned to Universal Credit. If you’re unsure about your scheme or how your visa affects eligibility, check Working Families’ article on Universal Credit for childcare costs.
There’s also a handy calculator to help you work out how much you might be entitled to on the UK government’s website.
Tax-Free Childcare explained
The Tax-Free Childcare scheme helps working families reduce out-of-pocket fees. You deposit money into an online account for each child, and the government adds £2 for every £8 you contribute, up to £2,000 per child per year. That effectively covers up to 20% of your childcare fees.
The basic criteria are:
- Each parent must earn at least the minimum wage for 16 hours per week but under £100,000 annually.
- This scheme can’t be combined with older Childcare Vouchers, so compare which approach saves more.
- Children up to age 11 (or 17 if disabled) can qualify.
Employer-Supported Childcare Options
Some employers also provide special benefits to help with childcare. These can include flexible working hours or leftover voucher schemes. Looking into these options can make your schedule and finances easier, especially if you’re working full-time.
How employers can assist with childcare
Though direct childcare perks are less common nowadays, some companies still do their bit. Larger employers may have:
- On-site nurseries at reduced rates for staff.
- Discounts with local providers or negotiated group rates for staff members’ children.
- Flexible or remote working, which can reduce your total childcare hours each week.
Always ask your HR or manager about any parent-friendly policies. If you think your employer might welcome new ideas, like teaming up with a local nursery, share your thoughts.
Benefits of flexible working
Flexible working can lower childcare bills by letting you adjust your hours to be off work when you need to look after your children. This includes:
- Part-time
You may only need half-day nursery coverage if your partner can handle mornings. - Job share
Split one role with another colleague, each covering part of the week. - Compressed hours
Same total hours in fewer days, freeing an extra day at home. - Remote
If your workload allows it, reducing work-related travel and making just quick drop-offs and pick-ups could lower the number of childcare hours you have to pay for.
Think carefully about flexible working as it might reduce your monthly wage if you go part-time. But it can also net savings if your child no longer needs 40 hours of care per week. Our tips on budgeting will help you get your figures straight.
Childcare vouchers and their benefits
Childcare Vouchers let parents use part of their pre-tax salary for childcare. This helps them save on taxes. Since 2018, no new sign-ups have been allowed, though existing users may continue.
If you joined before the cut-off, weigh the pros and cons of switching to Tax-Free Childcare. For some families, using vouchers works better. This is especially true if their childcare fees or wages are below certain limits.
The scheme is closed, but check with HR at work—they might support leftover voucher uses or bridging options. Local councils may also offer extra pilot programmes or incentives to assist families with childcare costs.
Practical Steps to Access Childcare Support
Navigating government websites, application forms, or local council processes can feel overwhelming at first. A few simple steps can help you find the right plan and make getting childcare easier for your family.
Steps to apply for childcare support
Each type of help has its process:
- 30 hours free
Visit Childcare Choices, create an account, enter details, get a code, and re-confirm every three months. - Universal Credit
Apply through your local Jobcentre or online. Provide receipts or bills for your child’s nursery or childminder. - Tax-Free Childcare
Sign up for an online childcare account, deposit money, and you’ll receive the government top-up automatically. - Employer approach
Check your employer’s intranet or policy documents for flexible working or leftover Childcare Voucher programmes. - Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland
Each region has slightly different rules, often posted on their respective government sites.
Keep track of deadlines. Some free-hour schemes require you to apply before a term starts. For Universal Credit, you usually claim each month after it ends.
Even with help, things can get tight. So check our top ways to save on a tight budget to help you stay on-budget.
How to use free childcare schemes
When you have your 30-hour code, simply give it to a childcare provider that’s approved by your local authority. They’ll confirm the code and apply the hours to your schedule.
Some providers may charge for extras, like lunches or extra hours beyond what you get. Always clarify those details in writing so you’re not surprised by extra fees.
For the 15-hour universal entitlement, the process is simpler. You typically just confirm your child’s date of birth. In Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, check local equivalents at the links earlier in the article for preschool or nursery funding.
Giving your code to your childcare provider
Providers must verify the code to claim government funding. If you fail to re-confirm or if your wages change drastically, you could lose your eligibility.
Some parents like to use free hours for part of the day, and then use Tax-Free Childcare funds for the rest. The provider may manage that, so ask them how they use these various subsidies.
Managing Childcare Costs as a Working Single Parent
Many single parents in the UK use government support along with employer benefits or flexible hours. This helps them keep a healthy work-life balance.
Look into all options such as free hours, tax credits, or community resources. Doing this helps you lower expenses and spend more quality time with your family.
Tips for working single parents on affording childcare
If you’re a working single parent you might need flexible hours or part-time nursery to lower your outgoings. Some suggestions:
- Nursery vs. childminder
Compare costs; a childminder might be cheaper for fewer hours per week. - Local authority resources
Councils usually offer family information services. These can help you find funding or free sessions. - Holiday clubs
Check if after-school or holiday clubs cost less than hiring a private babysitter for your school-aged child. - Use all the schemes you’re entitled to.
Some combine free hours with Universal Credit or a partial employer discount.
Once you’re settled in your new home in the UK, you might have made friends who can also give you recommendations for local childcare.
It’s also common for single parents in your local nursery or preschool to take turns with pick-ups and drop-offs.
Using local childcare resources
UK charities like the Family and Childcare Trust and Family in Action provide resources for childcare support. They can guide you to budget-friendly or specialised programmes, such as finding childminders who speak your native language for bilingual families.
Some community centres and faith organisations offer low-cost preschool sessions, especially in large cities.
If your child has a disability or special needs, extra support is often available. You may need to fill out separate forms or check your status with the local authority. Starting the conversation early helps secure a place that fits your child’s needs.
FAQs
Can you get help with childcare if you work?
Yes. Free childcare hours (15–30), Universal Credit reimbursements, and Tax-Free Childcare are all designed with working parents in mind. Even if you’re self-employed, you can qualify if you meet certain income thresholds.
How do working single parents afford childcare?
Single parents often combine free hours, government support like Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit, part-time jobs, and flexible work to reduce paid hours. Some also rely on local community help or share school drop-offs with a partner or friend. Careful planning, and exploring all avenues, can ease the financial load.
Who gets free childcare in the UK?
All three- and four-year-olds in England get 15 free hours per week; working parents who meet wage limits get 30. Certain two-year-olds also qualify if their parents receive certain benefits.
In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, different rules apply. However, preschool children usually have similar free or subsidised hours.
How can employers support employees with childcare?
Employers can provide flexible or remote work options, on-site nurseries, or leftover Childcare Voucher schemes for employees who joined before 2018. Some even reimburse partial fees or negotiate group discounts. If you’re unsure, discuss your needs with your HR department.