Paying for childcare
- Childcare available for different age groups
- Free childcare by age and status
- Help with the costs:
- Further information
Childcare available for different age groups
Different types of childcare available and age groups:
| Types of childcare | Approximate age ranges |
|---|---|
| Private nurseries | 0 to 5 |
| Children's centre nurseries | 0 to 5 |
| Childminders | 0 to 8 |
| Pre-schools and playgroups | 2 to 5 |
| School nurseries | 3 to 5 |
| Out of school | 4 to 14 |
Free childcare by age of child and parental status
Age of Child | Description | Available for working parents? | Available for all parents? | Available for teenage parents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0+ | Yes | No | Yes (aged 16 +) |
|
0+ | Yes | Yes | Yes (aged 16 +) |
|
0+ | Childcare Vouchers (through your employer) | Yes | No | No |
0+ | Help with childcare while you are learning (Care to Learn) | No | No | Yes (aged under 20 at start of course) |
2 | Early Years Education Funding | Referral only | Referral only | Referral only |
3 and 4 | 15 hours per week free childcare - Early Years Free Entitlement | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Help with the costs of childcare
Tax Credits
If your chosen childcare provider is approved through Ofsted you can claim Tax Credits. You may also be entitled to help with the costs of childcare depending on your family income. Here is a list of Tax Credit benefits that you may be able to claim
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Childcare element of Working Tax Credit
- Disabled child element
Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) directly on 0845 300 3900 or visit the HM Revenue and Customs website (external link) for further information and to access the online benefits calculator.
- See also our tax credits page.
Early Years Free Entitlement
Every three and four year old is entitled to 15 hours a week of free early education over a minimum of 38 weeks of the year which means it usually provided during term-time only. A child becomes eligible to receive their free entitlement from the term after their third birthday.
- See our Free Early Education page for more information.
Employer Supported Childcare
There are a number of ways you may be able to get support from your employer towards childcare costs. You can save money through Tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs) exemptions such as:
- Childcare vouchers
- Childcare subsidies
- Workplace provision
Speak to your employer for further information or visit the GOV.UK website in the external links section below.
|Back to topTeenage parents - Care to Learn Scheme
If you are a parent aged 20 or under at the start of your course and are in education or training the Care to Learn scheme can pay for part of your childcare and travel costs while you are learning. You can claim childcare costs while you are attending school, college or another education provider.
For further information see the teenage prenancy page.
- See also Care to Learn.
Training (over 19 year olds) - help with childcare costs
Contact Student Support or the Welfare Officer at your college or university who can advise you on how to get help with your childcare costs. Alternatively charities may be able to help.
|Back to topFurther Information
For additional information on paying for childcare and other types of support available see the external links section below.
Family Information Service
Tel 020 8489 1000
Email childcare@haringey.gov.uk
Web Family Information Service Directory page
Useful External Links
The following links are not part of the Haringey Council website. Please read our legal disclaimer before using these links
