Help with childcare , no idea

[Newbabies15]

Hi, I’m 5.5 months into my maternity leave and thinking about childcare options when I return to work. I work as a classroom assistant and get paid £13k for 32.5 hours work. I would like to retrain as a teacher as I have a degree.

My questions are:

1. Am I entitled to help with childcare costs? Grandparents are able to provide 2 days free of charge. How do I find out? I’ve heard of child tax credits/tax credits/universal credits. What are these?! And do they help with childcare costs?

1. Can you still get help with childcare costs if you’re in full time training/education? Or part time if I decide to do something else?

Please can someone point me in the right direction I have never claimed anything like this before apart from child benefit - which I now get.

Oh and I have twins! So double the costs!

Thank you in advance.

Google "entitled to calculator" it's a benefit calculator where you can put in your details and find out what you are eligible to claim. It's really easy to use.