Overview

• The scheme adds £2 for every £8 paid in, worth up to £2,000 per child each year or £4,000 for a disabled child, with quarterly caps of £500 or £1,000.
• Eligibility requires paid work averaging at least 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage and an adjusted net income under £100,000 per adult, with Universal Credit and childcare vouchers excluded.
• Funds can pay approved providers for nurseries, childminders, after‑school clubs, holiday schemes and wraparound activities.
• Money in the account can be used immediately, saved for later or withdrawn, and the childcare provider must be registered for the scheme to accept payments.
• HMRC reported 73,495 families in the North West used the scheme in June and £57.7 million was paid in top‑ups, averaging over £100 per family, while age cutoffs vary between reports so parents should check GOV.UK for definitive rules.