When AFF asked families with children aged 0-5 about their childcare experiences, more than 72 per cent of the 200 who responded said they struggled to find cover for hours they wanted and 62 per cent found it too expensive.
Many said they had to change their lifestyle because of these challenges. This matches what the
FamCAS 2025 survey found. Despite many families needing early years childcare, fewer than half – 43 per cent – were happy with the cost, a drop from previous years. Add in the frequent moves caused by army life and finding suitable care for your children can begin to feel like a big headache.
If you’re trying to juggle childcare with military life, knowing what’s on offer where you live can be confusing, so here’s a simple breakdown to help you understand the support available.
The Tax-Free Childcare scheme is UKwide. It offers eligible working families £2 for every £8 paid towards childcare.
ENGLAND
Working families with children from nine months to school age can access up to 30 funded childcare hours a week during term time. Both parents need to work at least 16 hours a week and earn the National Minimum/Living Wage.
Families with three and four-year-olds will automatically get 15 funded hours of childcare from the term after they turn three. Some eligible two-year-olds can receive 15 funded hours based on family circumstances.
WALES
The deal is slightly different and means working families with three and four-year-olds can get up to 30 funded hours, split into 10 hours of early education and up to 20 hours of childcare. Some two-year-olds in specific areas qualify for Flying Start programme funding.
SCOTLAND
Families with three and four-year-olds can get up to 1,140 funded hours of childcare a year, about 30 hours a week if taken during term time. Some two-year-olds may qualify for funded hours based on family income circumstances.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Part-time nursery places are offered for three and four-year-olds, usually two and a half to four hours a day. Families may be eligible for the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS), which helps working families with the cost.
OVERSEAS
Families can claim the same funded childcare hours as in England – up to 30 hours a week for children from nine months up to school age. Families that don’t meet the eligibility for that can access 15 hours when their child turns three. Eligible two-year-olds can also get 15 hours.
Some families posted overseas told AFF they discovered there were no funded hours offered at their chosen nursery, others reported availability varied drastically. So check what applies in the location where you’ll be living as soon as possible once you receive a new posting. Looking at available funding and getting in touch with providers before you arrive will hopefully mean you are well prepared.
TOP TIPS
- Always check your local childcare funding offer – they vary around the UK and overseas.
- Apply as early as possible because places can fill up fast.
- Keep your childcare codes up to date by signing in to your childcare account via gov.uk every three months.
If you are unsure about your offer, contact AFF at educationsupport@aff.org.uk For details on eligibility and funding applications visit aff.org.uk, discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk or beststartinlife.gov.uk