Childcare element while on maternity leave

[Mummyy07]

Does anyone know if you are still entitled to help with childcare through tax credits whilst you are on maternity leave? My dd is 2 and I will cut her days but if I take her out of nursery she might lose her place altogether. I’m unsure if I will still be entitled to any help. Should I contact tax credits and explain I am going on maternity leave?

Thanks

As long as you are in the paid part of maternity leave (39 weeks) then you can still claim for the childcare costs. If you take the full year you can't claim during the unpaid 13 weeks