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Part of Get childcare: step by step

Free Childcare for Working Parents

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After you’ve applied

You’ll usually find out if you’re eligible:

  • immediately after applying
  • within 10 days if extra checks are needed

It can sometimes take longer. You’ll be told if you need to provide more information to help with your application.

Once your application has been approved

You’ll get an 11-digit code in your childcare account.

HMRC will let you know by text or email that the code is in your account.

Give the code to your provider along with:

  • your National Insurance number
  • your child’s date of birth

If you have not heard from HMRC

You can contact the Childcare Service helpline if you applied more than 10 days ago and have not heard from HMRC.

To keep getting Free Childcare for Working Parents

You must sign in to your childcare account every 3 months to confirm you’re still eligible.

If you apply more than 3 months before your childcare starts, you’ll have to reconfirm your eligibility to keep your code valid.

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.