MOD Total Childcare Scheme (TCS) & ActiveMe 360

Using the MOD Wraparound Childcare / Total Childcare Scheme (TCS) with ActiveMe 360 (All Services)

Summary

This article explains how the MOD Wraparound Childcare / Total Childcare Scheme (TCS) works for families across all three Services, and how it can be used alongside Tax‑Free Childcare (TFC) to pay for eligible ActiveMe 360 wraparound care sessions. After reading, you’ll understand what you need to do with your Service, HMRC and ActiveMe 360 so that funding is applied correctly and your child’s place is secured. 

Important: This article is general guidance only. It does not replace official MOD, single‑Service or HMRC rules. Always rely on your Service’s official policy documents, Discover My Benefits and HMRC guidance for final decisions. 

Audience

Serving UK Armed Forces parents and carers (Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force), including eligible Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel, who want to use the MOD Wraparound Childcare / Total Childcare Scheme (TCS) to help pay for ActiveMe 360 wraparound care. 

When you should use this article 

You should use this article if: 

• You are a serving Regular in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army or Royal Air Force, or an eligible Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) member, and want to use MOD childcare funding for before and/or after school care. 

• Your child attends, or you would like them to attend, an ActiveMe 360 wraparound care club (typically before and after school, in term time). 

• You already have, or are setting up, a Tax‑Free Childcare (TFC) account for your child. 

• You want a simple overview of how booking and paying ActiveMe 360 fits into the wider MOD Wraparound Childcare / TCS process for your Service. 

What you will learn 

After reading this article you will understand: 

• What the MOD Wraparound Childcare / Total Childcare Scheme (TCS) is and who it is generally designed for across all Services. 

• Which types of ActiveMe 360 services are normally compatible with TCS and Tax‑Free Childcare. 

• The order in which to do things: confirming eligibility, setting up TFC, registering for TCS, and then booking with ActiveMe 360. 

• How to pay ActiveMe 360 using Tax‑Free Childcare, based on our existing childcare voucher/TFC guidance. 

• What remains your responsibility as the Service person (for example, TCS registration and claims), and what ActiveMe 360 can and cannot do. 

• Where to find the official, Service‑specific guidance and who to contact if you have questions about eligibility or claiming. 

Key information 

What is the MOD Wraparound Childcare / Total Childcare Scheme (TCS)? 

The MOD Wraparound Childcare / Total Childcare Scheme (TCS) is a UK Government and MOD initiative that helps eligible Armed Forces families with the cost of before and after school childcare during term time.

In broad terms: 

• It is available to eligible families in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force. 

• It is designed to support working patterns by helping with the costs of childcare that wraps around the school day. 

• It does not provide places directly – you still choose, book and pay your provider (for example, ActiveMe 360) and then claim back eligible costs within the MOD’s rules. 

Each Service has its own detailed information on the Discover My Benefits website and in single‑Service policy documents (for example, DINs, JSP references, flowcharts and calculators). Rules such as maximum hours, age ranges, locations covered and required evidence may be updated over time, so you must always check the latest official guidance for your Service. 

Note on terminology: Official MOD communications often refer to this as “Wraparound Childcare (WAC)”. In this article we use “Wraparound Childcare / Total Childcare Scheme (TCS)” to reflect that families may see both terms used. 

Who can use it? (High‑level view) 

The exact eligibility criteria are set by the MOD and explained in Service‑specific policy documents and on Discover My Benefits. In general, the scheme is aimed at: 

• Regular Service personnel and certain eligible Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel. 

• Families based in qualifying locations (within the UK and, in some cases, specific overseas locations). 

• Children of compulsory school age, with extended support in some cases for disabled children and young people. 

ActiveMe 360 cannot confirm whether you are eligible for the scheme. You must: 

• Use your Service’s official guidance and tools (for example, Discover My Benefits and any flowcharts or calculators). 

• Speak to your Unit HR/admin team or single‑Service contact if you are unsure. 

Which ActiveMe 360 services can I use with TCS? 

Scheme funding can only be used for eligible before and after school childcare with providers that meet the scheme’s conditions. Typically this means the provider must: 

• Be properly registered and regulated (for example, Ofsted‑registered or equivalent body). 

• Accept Tax‑Free Childcare payments. 

Within ActiveMe 360, this usually means our Ofsted‑registered Active+ Wraparound Care provision where we are set up to receive Tax‑Free Childcare payments. 

In practice: 

• Usually included: Before and/or after school wraparound care during term time, where the club is registered and accepts TFC. 

• Usually not included: Holiday camps and many standalone holiday activities, because the scheme is primarily designed to cover childcare that supports the standard school day and term dates, unless your Service’s official guidance clearly states otherwise. 

You must always check both: 

• The information we provide for your specific school/club (to confirm registration status and whether we accept TFC at that site). 

• Your Service’s most recent Wraparound Childcare / TCS guidance (to confirm whether the type of session you’re using is claimable under the scheme). 

How the scheme works alongside Tax‑Free Childcare (TFC) 

Across all Services, the MOD scheme is intended to work with, not instead of, Tax‑Free Childcare: 

• You usually need an active TFC account for each child you wish to claim for. 

• “Active” means you keep the account up to date and reconfirm your details with HMRC when prompted, so you remain eligible for the standard 20% government top‑up. 

• In most cases, you pay your chosen childcare provider (for example, ActiveMe 360) from your child’s TFC account, then claim back additional support from the MOD via the scheme, up to the applicable limits. 

From ActiveMe 360’s perspective, we: 

• Receive your payment (for example, via TFC) in the same way as any other parent or carer. 

• Do not decide whether your costs are eligible under the MOD scheme. 

• Do not submit or approve scheme claims – this is done by you, through your Service’s systems (for example JPA for many personnel), and by the MOD. 

Using ActiveMe 360’s existing Tax‑Free Childcare details 

Our existing childcare voucher and Tax‑Free Childcare guidance for parents and carers applies equally to Armed Forces families. 

Typical points (subject to change – always follow our latest “How do I book using childcare vouchers / Tax‑Free Childcare?” article): 

• You can usually search for us in your TFC account using our organisation name “Active Me 360 CIC”. 

• In many cases you will need to use our primary registration postcode (currently SO32 2RB) when searching for us in TFC, even if this does not match your child’s school postcode. 

• When money is sent from your TFC account to ActiveMe 360 and received by us, it appears as credit on your ActiveMe 360 account. This credit is then used to pay for your bookings. Any remaining balance stays on your account for future use. 

Always refer to our live knowledge base article “How do I book using childcare vouchers / Tax‑Free Childcare?” for the most accurate and detailed instructions on the TFC payment process. 

Safeguarding, safety and wellbeing 

ActiveMe 360 exists to improve physical, mental and social wellbeing. 

We: 

• Use appropriately qualified and vetted staff (including background checks) for all childcare settings. 

• Follow clear safeguarding and child protection procedures aligned with UK best practice. 

• Operate within health & safety guidelines, including risk assessments, supervision ratios and emergency procedures. 

• Provide a positive, inclusive environment where children can build confidence, social skills and enjoyment of physical activity. 

The MOD’s scheme also requires that settings meet regulatory standards (for example being Ofsted‑registered or equivalent), which is consistent with our commitment to safe and high‑quality childcare. 

Accessibility and inclusion 

We aim to make our provision as inclusive as possible. Wherever reasonably possible, we: 

• Work with families, schools and local partners to understand each child’s needs and put appropriate support in place. 

• Encourage you to share relevant information about your child (for example, medical needs, disabilities, neurodiversity, social/emotional needs) at the time of booking and with the onsite lead. 

• Focus on what each child can do and how to adapt activities so they can take part, feel safe and enjoy being active. 

Your Service’s scheme rules may include additional or extended support for disabled children and young people. It is your responsibility to check those details, but we are happy to discuss how our clubs can support your child practically. 

Costs and funding 

For most families in scope of the scheme: 

• Provider fees (ActiveMe 360): You pay our usual fees for wraparound care sessions. 

• Tax‑Free Childcare (TFC): If you’re eligible, you can reduce your direct cost by using your child’s TFC account and receiving the standard 20% top‑up from HMRC. 

• MOD scheme funding: Subject to eligibility and rules, the MOD may then cover additional childcare costs when you submit claims through your Service’s process, usually up to a defined weekly limit and subject to caps and conditions. 

ActiveMe 360 cannot advise on how the scheme will affect your tax, Universal Credit or other benefits. You should: 

• Use official scheme documents and Service guidance. 

• Speak to your Unit admin, a welfare or financial adviser, or relevant government departments (for example HMRC or DWP) for personal advice. 

Step‑by‑step instructions 

Different Services use slightly different online systems and terminology (for example, JPA screens, forms and Service‑specific portals), but the overall order of actions is similar. 

At a glance: the 7 key steps 

• Check your Service‑specific scheme eligibility. 

• Ensure your children are correctly recorded on your personnel system. 

• Set up and activate Tax‑Free Childcare accounts. 

• Register for the MOD scheme (TCS/WAC) with your Service. 

• Pay ActiveMe 360 using Tax‑Free Childcare. 

• Book your ActiveMe 360 wraparound care. 

• Submit your claim to the MOD. 

Below is the same process in more detail. 

1. Check your Service‑specific eligibility 

• • Go to the Discover My Benefits website and select your Service (Royal Navy, Army or RAF), then look for the relevant Wraparound Childcare / Total Childcare Scheme page. 

• • Use the eligibility tools or flowcharts provided there to check whether:  

• • • Your Service commitment type is covered. 

• • • Your posting location is covered. 

• • • Your family circumstances meet the scheme criteria.
      
  • If anything is unclear, speak to your Unit HR/admin office or the named scheme contact for your Service. 

2. Ensure your children are correctly recorded

• • Follow your Service’s instructions to record each child on the personnel system (for example, JPA for many personnel), and upload or present any required evidence (such as birth certificates). 

• • Check that each child you want to claim for is fully verified on the system (for example, that any “certificate verified” or similar field is correctly updated). 

3. Set up and activate Tax‑Free Childcare accounts 

• • If you have not already done so, apply for a Tax‑Free Childcare (TFC) account for each child via GOV.UK. 

• • Wait for each account to be approved and for you to receive the account details. 

• • Keep each account active by reconfirming your details with HMRC whenever prompted (typically every three months). 

4. Register for the MOD scheme with your Service

• • Once your TFC accounts are active, follow the steps in your Service’s scheme guidance to register each child and to link your chosen childcare provider(s). 

• • Only proceed on the assumption that scheme support will apply after the system shows your child as successfully registered and you understand from which date claims can start. 

5. Pay ActiveMe 360 usingTax‑FreeChildcare 

• • Log into your Tax‑Free Childcare account for the relevant child.
  • Search for ActiveMe 360 as a provider, typically by:  

• • • Searching for “Active Me 360 CIC”, and/or 

• • • Entering our primary registration postcode (currently SO32 2RB) as instructed in our childcare voucher/TFC guidance. Make a payment from your TFC account to ActiveMe 360 for the amount needed to cover your booking. 

• • Allow time for the payment to reach us (TFC payments usually arrive within around one working day). 

• • Once the payment appears as credit on your ActiveMe 360 account, you can use it to complete your booking. 

6. Book your ActiveMe 360 wraparound care

• • Visit the ActiveMe 360 booking site and find the wraparound care provision linked to your child’s school (for example, “Active+ Wraparound Care – [School Name]”). 

• • Select the sessions you need (before school, after school, or both) on the required dates, and add them to your basket. 

• • Review your basket, apply your available credit and proceed to checkout. 

• • Ensure you receive a confirmation email/invoice for your records. 

7. Submit your claim to the MOD 

• • Keep your ActiveMe 360 invoices and booking confirmations – you will usually need these for your claim. 

• • Follow your Service’s claim process (for example, via JPA or a Service‑specific portal) to submit claims for eligible wraparound care costs:  

• • • Enter the required information for each child and provider. 

• • • Attach or reference your invoices as instructed. 
  • Monitor your claim status and your pay statements to see when funding is applied. 

Remember: 

• You are responsible for following your Service’s rules, keeping your TFC account active, and submitting accurate claims. 

• ActiveMe 360 can help you understand our fees, bookings and payment receipts, but we cannot access your MOD records or claim on your behalf. 

FAQs 

1. Is this guidance for the whole Armed Forces?
   Yes. This article is written for families across the UK Armed Forces – Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force. The principles are similar across Services, but the exact rules and processes come from your single‑Service Wraparound Childcare / Total Childcare Scheme guidance and Discover My Benefits pages, which you must always follow.
2. Can I use the scheme for any ActiveMe 360 activity?
   No. The scheme is primarily intended for before and after school childcare during term time. In practice, that usually means our Ofsted‑registered Active+ Wraparound Care clubs that accept TFC. Holiday camps and other non‑term‑time activities are usually not covered, unless your Service’s official guidance clearly states otherwise.
3. Does ActiveMe 360 confirm I’m eligible?
   No. Only the MOD, via your Service’s processes and policies, can confirm eligibility. We can confirm whether a particular club is registered and accepts TFC, but we cannot say whether your circumstances or your bookings are eligible to claim.
4. How do I find ActiveMe 360 in my TFC account?
   In most cases you can find us by searching for “Active Me 360 CIC” and/or by using our primary registration postcode (currently SO32 2RB) in the provider search. Always follow the most up‑to‑date instructions in our “How do I book using childcare vouchers / Tax‑Free Childcare?” article.
5. How long do Tax‑Free Childcare payments take to show on my ActiveMe 360 account?
   Tax‑Free Childcare payments usually take up to around 24–48 hours to reach us. Once we receive the funds, they will show as credit on your ActiveMe 360 account and you can then complete your booking. Some traditional childcare voucher payments can take longer; if you are unsure whether a payment has arrived, please contact us with the payment reference.
6. Can I use the scheme for more than one child and more than one provider?
   In general, the scheme can cover multiple eligible children and, in some circumstances, multiple providers, but all must meet the criteria. You will need to record each child and provider correctly in your Service’s system and follow the claim rules. Check your Service‑specific policy for details.
7. What if my posting changes (for example, move from Army to Joint base or overseas)?
   Changes in location, role or Service circumstances can affect your eligibility or how much you can claim. Always:

• • Update your personal and family details in the appropriate HR/pay system. 

• • Check the Discover My Benefits pages and any new base information. 

• • Ask your Unit HR/admin team to confirm whether the scheme remains available in your new circumstances. We can then discuss how your ActiveMe 360 bookings might need to change. 

8. My child has additional needs – can we still use the scheme and ActiveMe 360?
   Many families of children with additional needs use the scheme and ActiveMe 360 successfully. Your Service’s scheme may offer different or enhanced support for disabled children and young people. At the same time, we will work with you and the school to understand how we can safely include your child in our clubs. Please share relevant information with us early, and speak directly with the club lead. For any clinical or diagnostic questions, always consult a medical professional.
9. Does using the scheme affect my tax or other state benefits?
   It can do, depending on your circumstances. The MOD provides specific information about how scheme payments interact with pay,tax and benefits. For personalised guidance, speak to your Unit admin, a welfare or financial adviser, or the relevant government department (for example HMRC or DWP). ActiveMe 360 cannot give tax or benefits advice.
10. Is my choice of ActiveMe 360 as a provider still supporting communities?
    Yes. ActiveMe 360 is a social enterprise and reinveststhe majority of its profits back into local communities. By choosing us as your childcare provider, whether or not you are using the MOD scheme, you help us deliver more programmes that support the physical, mental and social wellbeing of children, families and communities. 

Contact and further help 

For eligibility, registration and claims (all Services) 

• Check your Service‑specific Wraparound Childcare / Total Childcare Scheme pages on the Discover My Benefits website. 

• Speak to your Unit HR/admin office or welfare team if you have questions or problems with eligibility, registering children or submitting claims. 
• Use any official scheme email addresses or helplines published in your Service’s guidance for complex queries. 

For ActiveMe 360 bookings, payments and club information 

• Visit the ActiveMe 360 Knowledge HQ and see:  

• • “How do I book using childcare vouchers / Tax‑Free Childcare?” 

• • Other relevant articles under Bookings, Payments & Refunds and Wraparound Care. 

• If you still need help, contact ActiveMe 360 customer support using the contact details shown on our website or booking confirmation (for example, support email or contact form). 

Last updated: May 2026