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You may be able to claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs if you’re eligible for Universal Credit.

Check if you are eligible.

If you pay for childcare while you go to work, Universal Credit can pay some of your childcare costs. This includes holiday clubs, after-school clubs and breakfast clubs. If you live with a partner, you both need to be working, unless your partner cannot look after your children.

You can claim back up to 3 months of past childcare costs at a time - but if you’re claiming for more than one month you might not get all the money back. Universal Credit childcare costs

Guide to childcare help if you receive CB and UC and if not.

How much you might be able to get

The most you can get back each month is:

  • £950.92 for one child 
  • £1,630.15 for 2 or more children 

When paying for a club – take a receipt and upload it to your Universal Credit Journal (or show it to your Job adviser in the Job centre at your next interview). Payments could be backdated up to 3 months.

If you have clubs in school that your child is interested in – you can sign them up to go to these (check with your school what’s available as it usually changes every term).

We have compiled downloadable lists of other clubs available in the area. Usually, you can ask for a trial session before deciding if your child wants to attend it for the rest of the term.

  1. Early Years groups and baby and toddler
  2. Clubs by topic of interest
  3. Youth clubs
  4. Guides and Scouts
  5. Holiday clubs available during school breaks (and food program)

When paying for a club – take a receipt and upload it to your Universal Credit Journal (or show it to your Job adviser in the Job centre at your next interview). Payments could be backdated up to 3 months.

Do not forget to check that you received Holiday food vouchers for your child if the child is eligible and receiving free school meals. Usually, the school will issue the vouchers automatically, but if not – you will need to ask them about it. Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF)

Find the dates for half-terms and end of terms across East Devon here.  School term dates

Early Help Homes 4 Ukraine resource H4U - Devon Safeguarding Children Partnership

Action for Children offers online parenting support for families with children aged 0-19. From where to go for help, to coping with challenging behaviours, to how to keep your children entertained at home. In East Devon, we have Children’s centres in East Devon with Parenting support in Axe Valley, Exmouth, Honiton, Ottery St Mary and Sidmouth. 

Homes That Smile - Organisation that provides parenting courses and parent support