You can only get the Childcare Costs element if you, or you and your partner:
If you are part of a couple you must both be in paid work, or have accepted an offer of paid work.
The Childcare Costs element may be paid if one partner is working and the other can't look after the dependent children because one of the following applies, they:
To get the Childcare Costs element, the childcare you pay for must be with an Ofsted registered childcare provider. You can use more than one childcare provider and you must be able to report all their details.
Childcare costs can only be claimed for a dependent child up to the 31 August following the child's 16th birthday.
If you or your partner are absent from work you can still get the Childcare Costs element for existing childcare if either of you are receiving:
If part of your childcare costs are paid for by someone else (for example by an employer or a through a work programme scheme) you can only claim for the remaining balance.