Get free childcare if you're working
Apply for free childcare
Use this service to apply for free childcare if you바카라 사이트檙e working and you live in England.
If your child is 2 to 3 years old and you get extra support, you need to contact your local council before applying for free childcare for working parents. Speak to the early years team or Family Information Service.
If your application is approved, you바카라 사이트檒l get an 11-digit code that proves you바카라 사이트檙e eligible to get free childcare. You바카라 사이트檒l need to give this code to your childcare provider.
HMRC will check if you바카라 사이트檙e eligible for Tax-Free Childcare when you apply for free childcare if you바카라 사이트檙e working.
What you need to apply
You바카라 사이트檒l need your (and your partner바카라 사이트檚, if you have one):
- National Insurance number
- Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), if you바카라 사이트檙e self-employed (if you have a UTR)
You바카라 사이트檒l also need:
- the UK birth certificate reference number (if you have one) of any children you바카라 사이트檙e applying for
- the date you started or are due to start work (this can be approximate if it바카라 사이트檚 more than 3 months ago)
If you바카라 사이트檙e a director
You바카라 사이트檒l need to show you meet the minimum income requirements to be eligible. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will try to check this using your PAYE records.
If you do not submit regular PAYE information, you may have to provide evidence to show you are working and expect to meet the minimum income requirements for the next 3 months. This could be:
- wage slips
- bank statements
- a statement from your accountant
- copies of invoices
If you바카라 사이트檙e not paid regularly (for example, once a year) you may need to send other evidence to show you바카라 사이트檒l meet the minimum income requirements, such as:
- annual wage slips
- year end payroll
- a letter from your tax agent or adviser confirming your salary has been paid and taxed
You바카라 사이트檒l need to do this the first time you apply, and every time you reconfirm your eligibility.
If you have a partner
You must include your partner in your application if you바카라 사이트檙e:
- married or in a civil partnership and live together
- not married or in a civil partnership, but living together as though you are
Their employment and income will not affect your eligibility if they:
- are or will be absent from your household for more than 6 months
- are a prisoner
You and your partner cannot both have a code for the same child.
If you are separated
You and your ex-partner need to decide who should apply if you are jointly responsible for your child.
If you cannot decide, both of you must apply separately and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will decide who gets a childcare code.
Apply
To apply you바카라 사이트檒l need to set up a childcare account.
It usually takes 20 minutes to apply.
If you바카라 사이트檝e been unable to use the service
You may be able to claim compensation if you바카라 사이트檝e had technical problems with your account.
After you바카라 사이트檝e applied
You바카라 사이트檒l usually find out if you바카라 사이트檙e eligible straight away, but it can take up to 7 days.
Once your application has been approved
You바카라 사이트檒l 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 child바카라 사이트檚 date of birth
If you have not heard from HMRC
Contact the Childcare Service helpline if you applied more than 7 days ago and you still have not heard from HMRC.
Reconfirming your eligibility
To keep getting free childcare, you must reconfirm your eligibility by signing in to your childcare account every 3 months.
If you apply more than 3 months before the term starts, you바카라 사이트檒l have to reconfirm your eligibility in your account in order to keep your code valid.