If you would like your child to have more hours of early learning than the free twelve and a half hours per week, there are plenty of options to help with costs:

If you're working, you may be able to claim tax credits for up to 80% of your childcare costs.  This could be up to £140 a week (for one child) or £240 per week (for two or more children), depending on family income.

Lone parents looking for jobs or training may be able to get help for childcare costs through Jobcentre Plus.

If you and your partner earn less than £20,000 a year, and are not working, you could get free childcare while you train and learn for work.

For more information visit: www.direct.gov.uk/chilcare