Pregnancy can bring a rollercoaster of emotions. Whether a pregnancy is planned or unexpected, it can come with a range of pressures and concerns. When circumstances feel uncertain, or when external worries and complications arise, these emotions can intensify and may often include financial stress.

At a time like this, knowing what support is available, such as government-funded childcare schemes and financial grants, can make a real difference. Support is available for a variety of circumstances, including for those who are studying, working, or receiving benefits. 

England

If you are working:

Free Childcare for Working Parents Scheme 

You may be eligible for up to 30 hours of free childcare for 38 weeks of the year. Your child must be between nine months and four years old.  Find out more here 

If you are a student:

Student Finance Childcare Grant 

If you are a full-time higher education student and have a child under 15, you may be eligible to receive up to 85% of your childcare costs back or a fixed maximum amount, whichever is less. 

You may be able to receive up to (as of 2025/6), £199.62 a week for one child or £342.24 a week for two or more children. Find out more here.

 

Parents’ Learning Allowance 

If you are a full-time higher education student, you may be eligible for additional funding to help students who are also parents. This can be used for everyday costs of study, such as books, study materials and travel. 

The current maximum Parents’ Learning Allowance is £2,024 for the 2025 to 2026 academic year. Find out more here. 

Northern Ireland

If you are working:

The Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICCS) 

You may be eligible to receive a subsidy of 15% up to the capped amount on childcare bills. Find out more here. 

If you are a student:

If you are a full-time higher education student, you may be eligible to receive up to £148.75 per week for one child or up to £255 per week for two or more children (2025/6) to help with the cost of childcare. Find out more here. 

Other funding:

All three and four year olds are entitled to 12.5 hours per week of free pre-school education in their immediate pre-school year; this is at least 12.5 hours per week during term time or 475 hours annually. The government are working to roll out full-time (22.5 hours a week) funded places for all of Northern Ireland. Find out more here. 

Scotland

If you are a student:

The Scottish student childcare funds are split into multiple payments. You may be eligible if you are a full-time higher education student.  

 

Lone Parent's Grant (LPG) 

The Lone Parent's Grant is an income-assessed grant. The maximum available is £1,305 a year. You must be bringing up a child on your own. 

 

University Childcare Fund  

This is available to all eligible students with childcare responsibilities to provide assistance with the cost of formal registered childcare expenses, paid directly by your university.  

There are two elements of the University Childcare Fund: 

  • Lone Parents Childcare Grant (LPCG)  

    • an entitlement payment of up to £1,215 per year and is not income assessed. 

  • Discretionary Childcare Funds 

    • All eligible students may apply for financial help with formal registered childcare expenses, this is assessed by the institution. 

Find out more here. 

If you are eligible for benefits:

Best Start Grants and Food 

These grants are available for those who are eligible for certain benefits to help with the cost of food, pregnancy and childcare costs. Find out more here. 

 

Scottish Child Payment 

Scotland also has a child payment which is a weekly payment of £27.15 that you can receive for every child in your care. Find out more here. 

Other funding:

Funded early learning and childcare for three to five-year-olds 

Three to five-year-olds can get up to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare a year, which is 22 hours a week if used all year, and 30 hours a week if used term time. Find out more here. 

Wales

If you are a student:

Student Finance Childcare Grant 

You may be eligible for help to cover your childcare costs if you’re an undergraduate student who has children, including if you are part time.  

 

You could get 85% of your childcare costs up to a maximum of (as of 2025/26) £192 per week for one dependent child or £329 per week for two or more dependent children. Find out more here. 

 

You may also be eligible for 30 hours a week of childcare – see below. 

If you are working, on statutory pay or a student:

30 hours a week of childcare 

This is available for children aged three and four. 30 hours a week is made up of at least ten hours of nursery education and up to 20 hours of childcare. Find out more here. 

Other funding:

Foundation Phase Nursery 

Every child is entitled to a minimum of ten hours a week of funded, part-time Foundation Phase nursery, for children aged three to four. Find out more here. 

 

Flying Start Programme 

For children under four years old in disadvantaged areas of Wales, you may be eligible for part-time funded childcare for two to three-year-olds and other help. Find out more here. 

UK Wide

If you are working:

Tax-Free Childcare 

You can get up to £500 every three months for each of your children to help with childcare, if your child is 11 or under. Find out more here. 

 

Universal Credit Childcare 

You may be eligible for up to 85% of your childcare costs to be paid back. There are no minimum income or working hour requirements. Find out more here. For Northern Ireland, find universal credit guidance here.  

If you are eligible for benefits:

Sure Start Maternity Grant 

You may be eligible for a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the cost of having a child. This applies to England, Northern Ireland and Wales (NOT Scotland). Find out more here.Â