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Guides

Plain-English guides for UK childminders

The rules around funded hours, invoicing, and HMRC change quickly. We write the answers down so you don't have to wade through GOV.UK every term.

Funded hours

15h, 30h, the September 2025 expansion, and how to invoice for them correctly.

The 2026 invoice rules
What must be itemised on every funded-hours invoice from January 2026.
30 hours from 9 months — the September 2025 rollout
Eligibility, dates, and what childminders need to do for the biggest funded-childcare expansion in a decade.

HMRC & MTD

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax kicks in for £50k+ sole traders from April 2026 — and £30k from April 2027.

Making Tax Digital for childminders — the 2026 guide
Thresholds, quarterly deadlines, and what HMRC requires under the standard approach.

Running your childminding business

Practical money and admin guides — what you can claim, how to set rates, and dealing with late payers.

Expenses childminders can claim
What counts, how to apportion household bills, and the mileage and simplified-expenses rules — with worked examples.