Tax Free Childcare is a Government initiative for working families, including the self-employed, who have children under 12 (or under 17 if disabled). 

You can get up to £500 every three months, up to a maximum of £2,000 a year per child.  If you child has a disability, you can get up to £1,000 every three months up to a maximum of £4,000 a year per child.

If you are eligible you will create a childcare account and for every £8 you pay in, the government will add an extra £2.

You can use your childcare account to pay for children provided by: 

• childminders

• nurseries

• nannies

• before and after school clubs

• holiday clubs 

The childcare provider you use must be registered with Ofsted and signed up to the Tax Free Childcare scheme.