Overseas childcare for RAF children considerations

In the UK we are fortunate when it comes to childcare, there are lots of different options which provide flexibility and the English Government and Devolved Administrations offer support with the costs. The same cannot be said in many overseas locations, so before you apply for overseas service it is worthwhile researching the in-country provision to check it will meet your needs and circumstances.

In this section we aim to set realistic expectations and highlight some important considerations:

Overseas childcare provision

MOD childcare overseas provided by Defence Children Services offers, where practicable, the standards that you would expect at home. However, provision is very limited and only available in certain locations. When it is available the hours may be different to what you are used to.

In locations where childcare is not offered by the MOD you will need to look to local providers. Standards and availability will vary greatly from location to location. Therefore, you need to research your options and the potential providers in advance of accepting a posting.

The quality of the childcare provision and the activities available can vary from country to country and an Education MOD Assessment of Supportability Overseas (MASO) needs to be completed prior to moving. More information is available from the Overseas Education and Supportability Team (OEST) who provide information and advice regarding education in overseas locations. You can contact the OEST by emailing [email protected].

Once you have identified some local providers we recommend your research the following:

Where you are located may limit your childcare options. It is important you check the provision in the area you will live. In some locations accommodation offered may be in a remote location, so transport to and from the childcare provision needs to be considered.

In some locations childcare is in short supply, so it is important you find out if there are spaces and how to register your interest. Ask:

  • Do you have spaces available?
  • Can places be held with a retainer fee?
  • Do you operate a waiting list?
  • Do you prioritise spaces? If so, how are they prioritised?
  • Do you offer full day, half day and sessional sessions?
Budget is often a key factor when weighing up childcare options so it is important to understand how you will be charged. Ask:

  • What are the standard fees?
  • Are there any additional charges?
  • Do you offer a sibling discount?
  • Do you offer a Service discount?

In some countries childcare provision may not cover a full working day and school holidays may not be covered. If you have children in school you will need to find out if there are local wraparound options as this is not standard practice everywhere. Ask:

  • What time do you start and finish?
  • Do you operate in school holidays?

In some countries there will be entry requirements which must be met, such as vaccinations. It is important to find out the criteria so you can make appropriate arrangements before you leave the UK.

Government childcare schemes

Early Years Funded Childcare Overseas

RAF families based at or considering moving to a location with an MOD / Defence Children Services (DCS) Early Years setting, may be able to access 15 or 30 hours’ funded childcare depending on your eligibility.

  • From September 2024 Eligible working families will be entitled to up to 15 hours of funded childcare for their 9 months to 3-year-old child(ren) from the term after they turn 9 months old and for up to 30 hours funded childcare for their 3–4-year-old child(ren) from the term following their third birthday.

  • From September 2025 Eligible working families will be entitled to up to 30 hours of funded childcare for children aged 9 months old to school age.

To be eligible for the additional funding available to working families, both parents/carers i.e. the Service person and their spouse/partner (or a sole parent in a lone parent family) must meet the minimum earnings threshold of at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at the National Minimum or Living Wage, and not exceed the maximum earnings threshold of £100,000 per year. In locations with a DCS-provided school or setting, families are expected to use this childcare/early learning offer.

Overseas Nursery Authority (ONA)

Where there is no DCS provider, or if DCS are unable to meet the requirements of the family, Overseas Nursery Authority (ONA) can be applied for and used. If you wish to claim the ONA, it is important to note that the childcare provider used must be registered, regulated and inspected by the host nation.

The Discover My Benefits website has information on the Overseas Nursery Authority, including eligibility criteria and guidance on how to apply/claim. Service personnel can access full information by searching ‘Funded childcare entitlements and processes for overseas Service personnel and UK Based Civil Servants (UKBCs) with accompanying pre-school aged children’ on defnet or Defence Connect.

Armed Forces Childcare Voucher scheme

The Armed Forces Childcare Voucher scheme (AFCVS) is a salary sacrifice scheme which closed to new joiners in October 2018. Armed Forces families can visit the Pluxee website to log into their AFCVS. Defence Instruction Notice (DIN) DIN 2017DIN01-092 applies –Service personnel can access this information on MODnet.

In overseas locations, AFCVS vouchers can only be used at nurseries or by childminders that are MOD-approved, regulated and inspected. A legacy scheme is now being operated, which is reducing significantly in scheme members. As such they no longer accept new childcare providers to the scheme. The AFCVS DIN contains guidance on checking registration and approval of childcare providers.

Tax-Free Childcare

Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) is a government scheme introduced in 2017 to help eligible working parents with the cost of childcare. Over time, TFC replaced the AFCVS. Parents have the option to open an online account, which they can use to pay for childcare from an accredited and registered provider. Further information on TFC is available on the Childcare Choices website.

For Armed Forces families based overseas, TFC can only be used at schools or settings that are MOD-provided (regulated and inspected). This isn’t available in all overseas locations, and Service personnel are advised to read the Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) Scheme for eligible working parents DIN (MODnet) for further details.

Claim for Government TFC top up

If Service families meet the TFC eligibility and are assigned to an overseas location within the European Economic Area (and Switzerland), where there is no access to MOD-provided schools and settings, parents will be able to claim TFC top-up via a manual process. The claoms process and application form can be found in the Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) Scheme for eligible working parents DIN (MODnet).

Childcare for school aged children overseas

Wraparound Childcare Overseas scheme

The Wraparound childcare (WAC) scheme has been expanded to include Service families assigned to a location within the European Economic Area & Switzerland (EEA&S) or using Defence Children Services (DCS) before and after school childcare provision. Further information is available on the Discover My Benefits website.

Primary School Aged Childcare Overseas Allowance

From January 2026, the Primary School Aged Childcare Overseas (PSACO) Allowance will be available to eligible Service families in overseas locations where the Defence Wraparound Childcare (WAC) Allowance eligibility criteria cannot be met.

The PSACO Allowance is the final phase of the WAC scheme, providing a reimbursement of before and after school childcare costs for 4–11-year-old children (4-16 years old if in receipt of certain UK disability benefits), in overseas locations where due to local rules or regulations the WAC Allowance eligibility criteria cannot be met or because Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) accounts are not available. Service personnel that meet the eligibility criteria could claim around £3,400 per child, per year, for before and after school childcare costs.

Please note: the PSACO Allowance does not provide childcare spaces, it is a reimbursement of costs incurred when eligible families pay for before and after school childcare.

For detailed policy information, including the eligibility criteria, search ‘PSACO Allowance’ at  DINs Search (defnet) or Group: Defence Instruction Notices – DIN’s (Defence Connect). PSACO information will be added to the Discover My Benefits website from January 2026.

Note: Defence cannot replicate exactly for families assigned overseas everything that is available to families within the UK. It is important that prior to an overseas assignment, families seek specialist advice as early as possible and research the location thoroughly as in some areas there are limitations on accompanying family member’s employment, childcare, schooling, medical support and financial implications.

If you are moving back to the UK from overseas, please visit Childcare Choices to find out what is available in your area. The funded hours available, application process and deadlines may vary. We suggest you research your options early to help prepare for your relocation.

How we can help

If you are overseas and facing a childcare issue, let us know.