PRIMARY SCHOOL AGED CHILDCARE OVERSEAS (PSACO) ALLOWANCE
1. What is the PSACO Allowance?
a. The PSACO Allowance is the final phase of the Wraparound Childcare (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.
b. Service personnel that meet the eligibility criteria could claim around £3,400 per child, per year, for before and after school childcare costs.
c. 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.
2. Where to find further information? The eligibility criteria, further guidance and resources are available on the Defence Childcare Information page, Families Hub Information Portal, Defence Connect Childcare Information Page and
2025DIN01-122.3. When will Registration be available? More information regarding registration and claims guidance will be available from January 2026.
4. Have questions? Personnel and Service families can email the policy team at PEOPLE-AFFS-WAC-FRO-mailbox@mod.gov.uk.
5. A poster relevant to the subject can be found at [Annex B].