Families in Wales are being remined that financial support is available to help pay for childcare this summer holiday.

HM Revenue and Customs (HNRC) has said that through Tax-Free Childcare, families can receive up to £2,000 a year per child or £4,000 if their child is disabled.

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It is available for children aged up to 11, or 17 if the child has a disability. The money can help towards the cost of holiday clubs, before and after-school clubs, childminders and nurseries, and other approved childcare schemes.

The government will pay 20% of childcare costs by topping up the money paid into a Tax-Free Childcare account. This means for every £8 paid into the online account, families will automatically receive an additional £2 in government top-up.

More than 13,575 families in Wales used Tax-Free Childcare in March 2022 – the highest number since it was launched in April 2017 – but thousands more could be missing out.

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Research published earlier this year by HMRC estimated that about 1.3 million families could be eligible for this government support.

Parents and carers are being urged find out more about Tax-Free Childcare via the Childcare Choices website.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Tax-Free Childcare can make a big difference to families, helping with the bills for things like holiday clubs, nurseries, childminders and after school clubs. It’s easy to register – search ‘Tax-Free Childcare’ on GOV.UK.”

Helen Whately, HM Treasury’s Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said: “Tax-Free Childcare helps families with the cost of childcare bills but we know that thousands of parents could be missing out.

“That is why I’m encouraging families to sign up now and save on childcare costs.

“There are lots of fantastic holiday clubs and childcare providers to help working parents during the upcoming summer holidays, so now is the time to take advantage of this support.”

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Accounts can be opened at any time of the year and can be used straight away. Any unused money that is deposited can be simply withdrawn at any time.

With the school summer holidays approaching, it is more important than ever that parents and carers are able to access the financial aid they qualify for. It can reduce their costs, help them to stay in work, or help them work more hours.

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More than one million families in the UK are entitled to some form of government childcare support and the government is encouraging those eligible to not miss out on their entitlements. Families can find out what childcare support is best for them via Childcare Choices.