What Counts as Approved Childcare for Tax-Free Childcare?

Tax-Free Childcare only works if your childcare provider is approved and signed up to receive payments through the scheme. Before you add money to your account, check the provider can accept it.

Providers You Can Usually Pay

• Early years providers. Registered nurseries, childminders, nannies, play schemes, and childcare clubs can be eligible if they are approved and signed up for Tax-Free Childcare.
• School-age care. After-school clubs, breakfast clubs, holiday clubs, and wraparound childcare may be payable through your childcare account when the provider is registered.
• Registered schools and agencies. GOV.UK lists registered schools, childminder agencies, childcare agencies, and registered home care agencies among the approved provider types.

What To Ask Your Provider

• Are you signed up to Tax-Free Childcare, and what provider name should I search for in my childcare account?
• Do you accept Tax-Free Childcare for all invoice items, or only for eligible childcare sessions?
• How long do payments usually take to appear on my childcare account, and what payment reference should I use?

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Paying money into your childcare account before checking the provider can receive Tax-Free Childcare payments.
• Assuming every club at a school is covered. Some clubs are run by separate organisations, so check the actual provider.
• Forgetting the 3-month reconfirmation. If your account stops receiving top-ups, payments can become harder to manage.

Extra Support for Disabled Children

If your child is disabled, the higher Tax-Free Childcare cap may help cover more hours of care. GOV.UK also says the extra money can help your provider get specialist equipment for your child, such as mobility aids, so discuss this with the provider before you plan payments.

Related Reading

Once you know your provider is approved, use our Tax-Free Childcare calculator to plan the top-up. You may also find our guides to reconfirmation deadlines and quarterly limits useful, or browse the full article library.

Official Sources To Check

Use GOV.UK Tax-Free Childcare to confirm what you can pay for, and search for your provider from your official childcare account before making a payment.