Not all childcare will qualify for support through the childcare element of universal credit . They must be relevant childcare charges to qualify. 

Childcare support in universal credit is paid through the childcare element. To qualify for this you need to meet the basic and financial conditions of universal credit and also meet the conditions for the childcare element of universal credit.

Help with the costs of childcare in universal credit is done by including the childcare element in the calculation of your maximum universal credit award. 

This page explains how much childcare support can be claimed through the childcare element of universal credit and what costs can be included in each assessment period.

Childcare vouchers are a type of employer-supported childcare (employer-supported childcare) scheme. This page explains who can claim childcare vouchers. 

This page explains how much you can save by taking childcare vouchers offered by your employer. Different rules apply depending on when you joined your employer’s scheme. The rules for claiming childcare vouchers changed from 4 October 2018 – see our Childcare vouchers page for more information.