Childcare support through JobCentre Plus
Information about childcare support from Job CentrePlus.
Jobcentre Plus can help you with your childcare costs to remove the barriers preventing you from accepting a job offer or starting self-employment.
Help available
Jobcentre Plus can help you fund childcare upfront for up to a month when you start work or increase your hours. Eligibility criteria apply. You may be able to claim up to 85% of these costs back each month, making staying in work easier.
Upfront childcare costs are costs that need to be paid to allow your child or children to start in a place with a childcare provider.
You could receive:
- up to £1260 per month for one child
- up to £2160 per month for two or more children.
Depending on the age of your child, you could also receive government childcare funding.
Jobcentre Plus will need to agree with you on what they can pay before your child or children start care. Speak to your Work Coach for more information about receiving funding for Upfront Childcare.
To claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs, speak to your Work Coach or visit ‘How to manage your Universal Credit claim’ on your UC account.
Types of childcare Jobcentre Plus can pay for
Jobcentre Plus can pay for childcare provided by any Ofsted-registered or approved childcare provider, such as:
- nurseries
- childminders
- day care services
- school-based care
- holiday playschemes
- Or a combination of these
Contact Jobcentre Plus
Contact Jobcentre Plus to make an appointment or to find out more information.