Childcare support in universal credit is paid through the childcare element. To qualify for this you need to meet the basic and financial conditions of universal credit and also meet the conditions for the childcare element of universal credit.

This page explains how the childcare element of working tax credit interacts with other childcare schemes.

Not all childcare will qualify for support through the childcare element of working tax credit. They must be relevant childcare charges to qualify. 

The childcare element is part of working tax credit. This means you will need to qualify for working tax credits to get this support towards your childcare costs.

This page explains the conditions to be able to claim the childcare element of working tax credit.  

The childcare element in working tax credit can provide support of up to 70% of eligible childcare costs. Tax credits are an annual benefit. They are based on a tax year which runs from 6 April to 5 April the following year. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) administer the tax credits system. Tax ...