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Which childcare support saves you most?

Funded hours, Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit don't all stack. See your annual bill under each route — and the cheapest combination you're allowed to use.

Where you live

Funded hours below follow England's rules. Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit are UK-wide.

Your children in paid childcare

Hours a week you need, and what the nursery or childminder charges an hour. Pick 38 weeks if you only need term time.

Parents in the household

Parent 1 income (a year)

Parent 2 income (a year)

Use adjusted net income: pay after pension contributions, roughly. It is the figure the £100,000 limit is tested on.

Each parent works at least 16 hours a week at minimum wage?

Claiming Universal Credit?

Any child disabled?

Gets DLA, PIP or is certified blind.

Cheapest legal route

Funded hours + Tax-Free Childcare

£0

a year, after support

This is information, not advice. Figures use the rates published at gov.uk on 29 October 2026 and assume funded hours are taken at 30 (or 15) hours a week for 38 weeks. The Universal Credit figure is the maximum childcare element; your actual UC award depends on your whole claim. Nurseries may add voluntary charges for meals and consumables on funded hours, which are not included. Check your own position at gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs or read our childcare support guide. Nothing you type leaves this page.

Read the full guide to how the three schemes fit together →