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Part of Get childcare: step by step

Tax-Free Childcare

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Sign in to confirm your details are up to date and pay your provider

To keep getting Tax-Free Childcare you must sign in to your childcare account every 3 months to confirm your details are up to date.

When you sign in, you can also pay money into your account, pay your childcare provider and apply for Tax-Free Childcare for an additional child. 

Sign in to your childcare account

You’ll need your user ID and password to sign in.

Sign in

If you’re having problems signing in to your account

Contact the Childcare Service helpline if you’re having problems signing in to your childcare account.  

If you’ve been unable to use the service

You may be able to claim compensation if you’ve been unable to access your account due to technical problems with the childcare service.

View a printable version of the whole guide

This page is Part of Get childcare: step by step

  1. Step 1 Find out if you can get help with childcare costs

    1. Check what help you could get with childcare costs

    You can only get help with 'approved childcare'.

    1. Find out what 'approved childcare' is

  2. and Find where you can get childcare

    1. Find a nursery school place
    2. Find a registered childminder
    3. Search for free early education and childcare

  3. Step 2 Get help paying for childcare

    You can get help with childcare costs for children under 18. You might be able to apply for:

    You could also get free childcare when your child is aged 9 months to 4 years. You might be able to apply for:

    You can only get childcare vouchers if you have already joined a scheme.

    1. Check the rules for childcare vouchers

  4. Step 3 Check what to do if your circumstances change

    1. If you're getting Universal Credit, tell government straight away if your circumstances change

    If you're getting Free Childcare for Working Parents or Tax-Free Childcare you have to confirm if your details are up to date every 3 months.

    1. Sign into your childcare account to find out when you next have to check your details

    Your eligibility for support with childcare costs might also change.

    1. Check if your eligibility for help with childcare costs has changed

  5. Step 4 Check what to do when your child reaches school age

    1. Apply for a primary school place
    2. Find before and after school and holiday clubs

    You might be able to use Tax-Free Childcare to pay for childcare like wraparound care, after school clubs or other activities.