Not everyone is aware of the various support schemes available to families to help with the cost of childcare for working families in the UK, which can be especially valuable as the cost-of-living continues to rise.

You can find out what support is most suitable for you and that you are eligible for via the Childcare Choices website ( https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ ) as it does all depend on people’s different circumstances.

There are a few different schemes available to families, these include:

• Tax-Free Childcare – which provides financial support towards the cost of childcare for children aged 11 or under, or up to 17 if the child has a disability.
  • For every £8 paid into a Tax-Free Childcare online account, families will automatically receive an additional £2 in government top-up.
  • Families receive up to £500 every three months (£2,000 a year) per child, or £1,000 (£4,000 a year) if their child is disabled, helping towards the cost of before and after-school clubs, childminders and nurseries, holiday clubs and other approved childcare schemes.

• Families in England, receiving some forms of support with 2-year-old children, can receive:
  • 15 hours of free childcare or early education for 38 weeks if they meet the eligibility criteria.
  • This adds up to a total of 570 hours per year, which can be used flexibly with one or more childcare providers.

• All families in England, with 3 and 4-year-old children, can receive:
• 15 hours of free childcare or early education for 38 weeks
• A total of 570 hours per year, which can be used flexibly with one or more childcare providers.

• Working families in England, with 3 and 4-year-old children, can receive:
• 30 hours of free childcare or early education for 38 weeks
• A total of 1,140 hours per year, which can be used flexibly with one or more childcare providers.

It is worth looking into to make the most of the help available to you, as it all adds up and may mean you have a little bit extra to spend on family activities and days out to enjoy together.