The aim is to publish clear, practical and current explanations of Tax-Free Childcare without presenting an independent estimate as an official eligibility or account decision.

Last updated: 29 August 2026.

Source standards

Primary sources are preferred for factual rules, limits, dates and processes. These include GOV.UK, HMRC, the Department for Education and official childcare-support services. News coverage and parent discussions may help identify useful questions, but they are not treated as authority for scheme rules.

Review and publication process

Start with a specific question a parent needs answered.
Check the relevant current primary sources.
Explain the rule in plain English, including important exceptions and the limits of the information.
Add links to related guides and the official service a parent should use next.
Record the substantive review date in the visible page and its structured data.

Use of software and AI tools

Software and AI tools may assist with research, drafting, formatting, testing and identifying topics. They are not treated as the source of a government rule. Factual claims should be checked against the linked primary sources before publication.

Updates and corrections

Childcare rules and official wording can change. When a substantive change or error is verified, the affected page should be corrected, its review date updated and its sitemap modification date refreshed. Small spelling or presentation fixes do not imply a new factual review.

Independence and limitations

Tax Free Childcare Calculator is independent from GOV.UK and HMRC. Content is general information, not financial, tax, legal or eligibility advice. Parents should use official services for personal decisions and childcare-account actions.

Read more about this website or check the current GOV.UK Tax-Free Childcare guidance.