Childcare offer

The Welsh Government’s childcare offer for Wales has already helped parents from all over Wales to return to work, increase their hours or work more flexibly.

If you’re looking for a job, or thinking about returning to education or training, but are worried about childcare costs, this support could make all the difference.

What is the Childcare Offer for Wales?

The Offer can provide 30 hours of government funded early education and childcare to most parents of 3 and 4 year olds who are working or in education or training for 48 weeks per year. It builds on the existing universal entitlement to early education, which provides all 3 and 4 year olds with at least 10 hours of early education. The children of eligible parents will receive up to 20 additional hours of funded childcare.

Visit get 30 hours of childcare for 3 and 4 year olds on the Welsh Government website for more information.

Am I eligible for the Childcare Offer for Wales?

To be eligible for the Childcare Offer Wales:

• You must live in Wales
• Each parent’s gross income must be £100,000 or less per year

To be eligible during term time and school holidays, your child must be one of the following:

• 3 years old and eligible for early education (this is normally the term after your child turns 3 but depends on your local authority’s school admissions policy)
• 4 years old and not eligible for a full-time education place in the local authority in which you live

If your child is eligible for full-time education in your local authority:

• You will not be eligible for the Childcare Offer during term time
• You may still be eligible for the Childcare Offer during school holidays, if they are aged 3 or 4

Foster carers and kinship carers (relative or friend who is not a child’s parent) may be eligible.

You must also meet one of the following criteria:

• Earn at least, on average, the equivalent to working 16 hours a week at the relevant National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for you
• Be on Statutory Pay and Leave (Sick, Maternity, Paternity, Parental Bereavement and Adoption Leave)
• Be enrolled on either an undergraduate, postgraduate or further education course that is at least 10 weeks in length

Some exceptions can also be made for parents who receive certain benefits because they cannot work for reasons of disability, ill-health or full-time caring responsibilities.

Before applying check if you're eligible for the Childcare Offer for Wales on the Welsh Government website.

I’m interested in the Childcare Offer for Wales, what do I need to do?

All parents wishing to receive Childcare Offer for Wales funded childcare will need to apply through the new national digital service. The online service is bilingual and can be accessed via a laptop, mobile phone or tablet.

When applying, you will need:

• Your child’s birth certificate
• Proof of address
• Proof of household income or enrolment on a higher or further education course

Apply for the Childcare Offer for Wales.