30 free hours v tax-free childcare - confused, please help!

[Lolo20]

Hi there, I'm hoping someone is clued up on this and able to help me...

My son has recently turned 3 and is eligible for 30 free hours from this term. Previously we had been paying via the government Tax-Free Childcare system where they add the top up to any money you put in.
We'll still need to send our son in full time and the nursery has explained the 30 free hours only covers school terms so the term time cost will be £75 per week but during holidays it'll go up to the full cost which is £210. That bit is fine, makes sense.

I have 2 questions:

1. I know you can't claim the tax-free childcare at the same time as the 30 free hours but can I use tax-free childcare/get the government top up on the out of term payment?
   
   
2. Do I pay the 30 free hours term payments via the childcare account system I set up before for tax-free childcare or do I pay the nursery direct now? The childcare account is linked to the 30 free hours but surely if I continue to pay money into there it's going to top it up which we no longer qualify for - so confusing!
   
   Thanks in advance for any knowledge anyone can help me with :)

[Limosa]

You can claim both 30 hours and tax free childcare and you pay both to the nursery through the same government website, the one you already use for TFC. This is what I do, it works fine.

[ramblingsonthego]

You can definitely use both. I do currently. No issues at all.

[Lolo20]

Oh amazing! Thanks so much x