Are there any childcare benefits for children younger than 3?

[CaresMildly]

My daughter is 14 months and I currently pay for 2 mornings a week at nursery so I can go to the office. But this isn't really enough time for me to get my work done, so I want to up it to 2 full days a week for her.

She really enjoys nursery so it's not an issue to do that. But I am self-employed and don't earn enough to be able to fund the extra time. I've looked at the Child Benefits website but it seems to be saying that only children of 3 and 4 get childcare benefits.

Is that right? Or is there somewhere else I should be looking? Thanks in advance for any pointers.

[LIZS]

tax credits perhaps ?

[galen]

as far as I can make out it is the working tax credit that has a childcare element that you may be able to get...depends though if you are eligible for working tax credit or not, and you need to work for at least 16 hours a week and be in paid employment...
I looked into it recetnly and unfortunately I am not eligable as I am gong to be doing an unpaid plaecement to get back into my career...( would be eligable though if I was in prison it seems...but obviously not if I am trying to do something responsible and worthwhile....makes me wonder why I bother)

[CaresMildly]

thanks for that - doesn't look too hopeful really, but thanks anyway!

[theoptimist]

It depends on family income. If you get less than about 54k gross income (can't remember exact amount) you can claim child tax credits and may be able to claim for childcare. There's a calculator on the tax credits website you can use this to calculate if you're entitled to anything.