I have a few questions about the tax free childcare scheme, particularly for anyone who pays for 2 or more children.

I know you pay into the childcare account, then for every 80p you add the government adds 20p up to the limit.

Do they pay in every time we do, or do they pay in once every 3 months? (I've seen its capped at £500 per child, every 3 months.)

How do you differentiate that you're paying in for 2 children? If we can, we would pay in one lump sum each month to make it easier on our budget.

Also if your childminder bill varies a bit from one month to the next, can you pay in a uniform amount each month knowing that it's a bit more than this month's bill but the extra goes toward the next month's bill? EG could we aim for a combined £710 going in every month, knowing the bill is £690 this month & £721 next month?