Website of the UK government

Early years education

All three and four year olds are entitled to up to five two-and-a-half hour daily sessions a week, for three terms each year, with a 'registered provider' such as a school, nursery or playgroup. Some large employers provide registered early years education at the workplace. You can also use a registered childminder if they're part of an approved childminding network.

• Search for a registered early education provider in your area Opens new window
• More about early years education (parents section)

Tax credits

Child Tax Credit

Child Tax Credit is a means-tested allowance for parents and carers of children or young people who are still in full-time education. Nine out of ten families with children qualify for Child Tax Credit.

Working Tax Credit

If you're working more than 16 hours a week and you're on a low income, you may be able to get Working Tax Credit too.

The Working Tax Credit includes a specific element to support the cost of registered childcare for working parents. The childcare element can help with up to 80 per cent of your eligible childcare costs.

There are limits on the weekly costs you can claim. If you pay childcare for:

Time off and flexible working

Time off ('parental leave')

If you're a working parent, you can take up to 13 weeks' parental leave for each child until their fifth birthday (you get more than this if you have a disabled child). Your employer doesn't have to pay you when you take this leave, but they might as part of your employment package. To be entitled to this time off you must:

You normally have to take parental leave in blocks of one week or more, up to a maximum of four weeks a year for each child. But your employer may let you take parental leave in shorter blocks. If your child is entitled to Disability Living Allowance then you can take your leave a day at a time if you want.

If your employer thinks your absence would disrupt the business then they can usually postpone your leave for up to six months after the date you asked for.

Flexible working

Flexible working lets you ask your employer for a new working pattern to help you care for your child. You have a right to request a flexible working pattern if you've got a child aged under six or a disabled child under 18. Your employer has to consider your request seriously.

To have the right to ask for flexible working, you must:

You'll need to fill in an application form when you apply for flexible working. You can only make one application a year.

• Download a flexible working application form Opens new window
• Parental leave (parents section)

Job Grant

Job Grant is a one-off tax free payment you may get when you start working for at least 16 hours a week and stop getting benefits. You may be entitled to Job Grant if you start work for at least 16 hours a week, you do not have a partner working 16 hours or more per week and you expect your work to last for at least five weeks. You must also have been claiming one of the following benefits for at least 26 weeks before starting your new job:

You can find out more on Job Grant by following the link below:

• Job Grant

Choices Kit

Jobcentre Plus has put together a free Choices Kit for lone parents thinking about work. It's packed with advice on job-hunting, childcare and financial help. Order yours by calling 0800 085 5701 or visit the Jobcentre Plus website.

• Jobcentre Plus Choices Kit for lone parents Opens new window

Child Maintenance Bonus and Child Maintenance Premium

You may be entitled to Child Maintenance Bonus if you've been receiving maintenance under the Child Support Agency's (CSA) old scheme (calculated before 3 March 2003) and your benefit is ending because your income has increased or you'll be working for at least 16 hours per week.

Child Maintenance Bonus is not available to people receiving maintenance under the CSA's new scheme (calculated after 3 March 2003). But if you are a parent with care and someone in your household receives Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, you can currently keep up to £10 per week of any maintenance paid for your child (this will increase to up to £20 per week in October 2008). This is called 'the Child Maintenance Premium'.

• Child Maintenance Bonus
• Child Maintenance Premium

More useful links

• 'Expecting or bringing up children' benefits
• Flexible working and work-life balance (employment section)
• Check your rights as an employee
• Information and advice for jobseekers