Help with childcare over the summer holidays

The kids may get a long break over the summer, but that doesn’t mean you do. Having to find someone to look after them while you’re at work can be difficult and expensive. And without free school meals covering your child’s lunch five days a week, your grocery bill might suddenly soar, too.

But there’s support available from a range of schemes over this period. Check whether you qualify for any, so you don’t find yourself out of pocket.

Universal credit

If you’re on universal credit (UC), you might be able to get a portion of UC for childcare costs. This can help cover the costs of holiday clubs, after-school clubs and breakfast clubs.

To get this, you pay for the childcare first, then declare the amount you paid to UC. You may be able to get some of the cost back through your UC payment.

You might be entitled to help for up to 85% of your childcare costs– that’s a maximum of:

• £1,014.63 a month for one child
• £1,739.37 a month for two or more children

If you have a partner, you can only claim this if they work too or aren’t fit to mind the children.  

Tax-free childcare

Everyone in the UK can get tax-free childcare to help cover the costs of looking after a child.

You can get up to £500 every three months (£2,000 a year) per child. If you have a disabled child, you can get up to £1,000 every three months (4,000 a year).

To claim tax-free childcare, set up an online account for each child and for every £8 you put into this account, the government gives you £2 to pay for childcare.

This scheme only covers childcare provided by this list of approved services:

• registered childminder, nanny, playscheme, nursery or club
• childminder or nanny with a registered agency
• registered school
• home care worker working for a registered agency

Working tax credit

Extra working tax credit is available to cover some of the cost of childcare over the holiday period. You might be able to get £122.50 a week for one child or £210 for two or more.

You can claim working tax credit if you’re on a low income and are already claiming child tax credit. Working tax credit is paid into your account every week or every four weeks.

Find out exactly how much you could be entitled to on the government website.

You must work a certain number of hours a week to qualify:

• aged 25-29: at least 30 hours
• aged 60 or over: at least 16 hours
• disabled: at least 16 hours
• single with one or more children: at least 16 hours
• couple with one or more children: usually at least 24 hours between you (with one of you working at least 16 hours)

If your circumstances change, for example, if you start a new job, are laid off work or your partner dies, your tax credit entitlement could change. Make sure you report any changes like this to HMRC.

Holiday activities and food programme

In England, the holiday activities and food (HAF) programme offers free holiday clubs with meals to children from low-income families during school breaks.

The HAF programme aims to enhance kids’ overall wellbeing by offering healthy food, structure, physical activity and fun over the holidays, while supporting their families.

You can check whether your child qualifies for a place and find out how to book with your local council.

Food vouchers

Depending on where you live, you might be able to get £15 a week in food vouchers over the holidays if your child is eligible for free school meals.

Check whether your local council offers them and how to get them.  

Household support fund

If you’re finding it hard to afford childcare because of the cost-of-living crisis, you might be able to get help from the household support fund.

This government-funded scheme offers financial help to vulnerable households through local councils. Find out what childcare support your local council could be offering through the fund.

Are you getting all the benefits you’re entitled to?

Check you’re getting all the help you’re eligible for with our free online benefits calculator.