Paying for childcare

If you are balancing study or work with raising a young family, good childcare is essential. There are various schemes to help you manage the cost.

Many parents rely on family or paid childcare so they can work, run a business or study. There are various options – see the table on the next page for a summary. Your local Family Information Service can tell you about the full range of options available in your area (see Useful contacts). Choosing the right care depends on the needs of you and your child, but often an important factor will be cost. Don’t assume that childcare is too expensive for you – you may be able to get help from the state or your employer.

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