Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert: Childcare deals - how you can get an extra £2,000 per child (Image: GETTY) Martin Lewis reveal how parents can get an extra £2,000 per child for childcare today. Martin Lewis told ITV viewers: “One and a half million families are eligible for a free £2,000 per child to help with childcare costs, but only one in six families have signed up to get it.” He appeared on This Morning to advise viewers how they can get an extra £2,000 to cover childcare costs. He said: “In April 2017, the confusing and somewhat inaccurately named 'Tax-Free Childcare' scheme launched. Related articles Martin Lewis: Money Saving Expert on how to beat energy price hike Martin Lewis: Money Saving Expert on the BIGGEST free cash bank switch Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert: Childcare deals - how to get an extra £2,000 per child “It was beset with problems, poor communication and technical glitches, and huge numbers of those who can take advantage have been put off. “Yet now I believe it's time to look afresh. For those paying for childcare, it can be worth £2,000 annually per child towards Ofsted (or equivalent) registered nurseries, childminders, nannies, after-school clubs, play schemes and home care - but it’s not for everyone.” Do you even need to pay for childcare? Martin advised: "Every parent in the UK can get funded childcare for all three to four-year olds – so you don’t pay. How much you get depends on where you live. England: 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 570 hours (roughly 15 hours a week) of free childcare per year. You get an additional 15hours/week if you earn an average of at least £131/week (both parents in a couple must) provided no one parent earns £100,000+ per year. Families with a low income may also get free classes for two-year-olds. Scotland: 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 600 hours of childcare (16 hours/week). The Scottish Government plans to increase this to 1,140 hours/year by 2020, though some places are already phasing the extra hours in. Wales: 3 and 4 year olds gets at least 10 hours a week, though in some part of Wales you can get up to 30 hours/week. Northern Ireland: 3 and 4 year olds get up to 22.5 hours a week. "Though how smoothly this all works is open to question – many childcare providers argue they are underfunded to do this job." Related articles Martin Lewis urges you to act NOW to slash bills before April 1 Martin Lewis: Money Saving Expert reveals top cash ISA - but act now (Image: ) Tax-Free Childcare means for every £80 you pay, the state adds £20 Martin explained: "This is the scheme that launched in April 2017. You open up an online, state run, Childcare Choices account and for every 80p you put into it the state adds 20p. "You can put in up to £8,000 per child per year so up to £2,000 (£4,000 if your child is disabled) will be added and it can be used for all Ofsted (or equivalent) nurseries, childminders and after-school clubs. "The gain is equivalent to the income tax paid by a basic-rate taxpayer - hence the name - though higher-rate taxpayers don't get a bigger boost. "To be eligible for it you must… Be paying for Ofsted (or equivalent) childcare for an under-12 (under-17 if he or she is disabled). Be working and earning £131+/week - for couples, both must earn this. No one parent can earn £100,000 or more a year. The self-employed can also get this, as well as those who are employed." ISA advice from Martin LewisThu, February 9, 2017 ISA advice from Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis. Getty Images 1 of 11 ISA advice from Martin Lewis But if you already get Childcare Vouchers, you may be better off sticking with them Martin concluded: "Tax-Free Childcare was designed to replace the old Childcare Vouchers scheme that closed to new sign-ups last October (some are campaigning to bring it back), though if you were already getting them, you can keep them going. "And they may be worth keeping, especially for couples where only one parent works, as then you can't get Tax-Free Childcare but can get vouchers. "Even if you're eligible for both, for those with lower childcare costs and fewer kids, vouchers can be better. Parents with more children and higher childcare costs, are better off with tax-free childcare as there’s far more free cash available. "However, it’s worth noting, while you can use Childcare Vouchers if you get universal credit for childcare, you can end up getting less through universal credit, so it's likely not worth it." For full details and calculators see Martin’s full ‘Tax free childcare help’ guide. Martin Lewis revealed the best bank account to switch to for free cash. All rights reserved for this news site express.co.uk and under his responsibility