Childcare Offer for Wales: Free Childcare for 3 & 4 Year Olds (2026)

Working parents in Wales with 3 and 4 year olds can get up to 30 hours per week of funded childcare — and unlike England’s scheme, it covers 48 weeks per year, not just term time.

Here’s how the Childcare Offer works, who qualifies, how to apply, and how it compares to England’s 30 hours.

What Is the Childcare Offer for Wales?

The Childcare Offer for Wales combines two elements to provide up to 30 hours of funded early years provision per week:

10 hours of Foundation Phase nursery education — This is the standard early education entitlement available to all 3 and 4 year olds in Wales, regardless of parental employment. It’s typically delivered in school nursery settings or nursery schools during term time.

20 hours of childcare — This additional element is means-tested and available only to working parents who meet the eligibility criteria. It can be used at registered day nurseries, playgroups, or with approved childminders.

Together, these provide 30 hours per week for up to 48 weeks per year, offering significantly more coverage than the term-time-only schemes in other parts of the UK.

Who Is Eligible for the Childcare Offer?

To qualify for the full 30-hour Childcare Offer for Wales, you must meet all of the following criteria:

Child’s Age

Your child must be aged 3 or 4 years old. Eligibility starts the term after your child’s third birthday and ends when they start reception class in primary school (typically the September after they turn 4).

Residency

You must live in Wales. The scheme is administered by Welsh local authorities and your child must attend an approved provider in Wales.

Working Requirements

Both parents (or the sole parent in single-parent families) must be working at least 16 hours per week on average. This includes:

• Employed workers (including zero-hours contracts if you work at least 16 hours per week on average over a month)
• Self-employed individuals earning at least the equivalent of 16 hours at National Minimum Wage
• Parents on paid sick leave, annual leave, or parental leave (for a limited period)
• Parents on adoption leave or shared parental leave

Income Thresholds

Each parent must earn:

• At least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at National Minimum Wage (about £10,158/year if you’re 21+)
• No more than £100,000 per year (gross income before tax)

What Doesn’t Count

You cannot claim the childcare element if either parent is:

• Not working
• Working fewer than 16 hours per week
• Earning over £100,000 per year
• In receipt of certain benefits (Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit, Universal Credit with household income over the earnings threshold)

You will still receive the 10 hours of Foundation Phase nursery education regardless of employment status, but not the additional 20 hours of childcare.

How Many Hours of Free Childcare Do You Get in Wales?

The Childcare Offer provides:

• 30 hours per week (10 Foundation Phase + 20 childcare)
• 48 weeks per year (term-time plus school holidays)
• Up to 1,440 hours annually

This is one of the key differences from England’s 30 hours scheme, which provides only 38 weeks per year (term-time only). The Welsh offer covers more weeks, helping working parents during school holidays.

Term-Time vs Year-Round Provision

You can choose how to use your hours:

Term-time pattern — Use all 30 hours per week during school terms (approximately 39 weeks). This mirrors the school year and works well if you have flexible work or family support during holidays.

Year-round pattern — Spread your hours across 48 weeks, using approximately 22.5 hours per week throughout the year. This provides more consistent coverage for parents working year-round.

Split sites — You can split the 10 hours of Foundation Phase education (usually at a school nursery) and the 20 hours of childcare (at a day nursery or childminder), though managing two settings can be logistically challenging.

How to Apply for the Childcare Offer for Wales

Applications are managed by your local authority’s Family Information Service (FIS). The process is:

1. Check Eligibility

Use the Welsh Government’s online eligibility checker or contact your local Family Information Service to confirm you meet all criteria.

2. Gather Documents

You’ll need:

• National Insurance numbers for both parents
• Details of employment (employer name, hours worked, income)
• Self-employment evidence if applicable (SA302 tax return, recent accounts)
• Child’s birth certificate
• Proof of address in Wales

3. Submit Application

Apply through your local authority’s Family Information Service, either online or by paper form. Applications are usually processed within 15 working days.

4. Receive Code

Once approved, you’ll receive a unique Childcare Offer code. Give this to your chosen registered childcare provider so they can claim the funding on your behalf.

5. Reconfirm Every 3 Months

You must log into your FIS account every 3 months to reconfirm your circumstances. Your eligibility is checked regularly to ensure you still meet the working and income requirements.

When to Apply

Apply at least one term before you need the childcare to start. Most local authorities have application deadlines:

• For autumn term (September start) — apply by end of May
• For spring term (January start) — apply by end of October
• For summer term (April start) — apply by end of February

Flying Start: Free Childcare for 2 Year Olds in Wales

If your child is 2 to 3 years old, you may be eligible for Flying Start, a separate Welsh Government programme offering:

• 12.5 hours per week of free childcare
• 39 weeks per year (term-time)
• Available in designated Flying Start areas (specific postcodes in Wales)

Unlike the Childcare Offer, Flying Start is not means-tested or dependent on working status. If you live in an eligible area, your child automatically qualifies.

Flying Start also includes:

• Enhanced health visiting
• Free parenting courses
• Speech and language support
• Play and learning sessions

To find out if you live in a Flying Start area, contact your local authority’s Family Information Service or check the Welsh Government’s postcode checker.

Combining the Childcare Offer with Tax-Free Childcare

You can use both schemes together, but only for different hours:

• Use the Childcare Offer for Wales for your funded 30 hours per week
• Use Tax-Free Childcare to pay for additional hours beyond the funded entitlement (e.g., if you need 50 hours per week, use Tax-Free Childcare for the extra 20 hours)

You cannot use Tax-Free Childcare to pay for the same hours covered by the Childcare Offer. Doing so is considered fraud and both parents could lose access to both schemes.

How Tax-Free Childcare Works in Wales

Tax-Free Childcare works the same in Wales as the rest of the UK — for every £8 you pay into your childcare account, the government adds £2. Up to:

• £2,000 per child per year from the government (£500 per quarter)
• £4,000 per disabled child per year (£1,000 per quarter)

For more details, see our guide to Tax-Free Childcare.

Approved Childcare Providers in Wales

You can only use the Childcare Offer at registered providers approved by your local authority. Eligible providers include:

• Day nurseries registered with Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW)
• Nursery schools and school-based nursery classes
• Registered childminders
• Playgroups and sessional care providers
• Out-of-school clubs and holiday clubs (for the childcare element, not Foundation Phase)

Not all providers participate in the scheme. Some choose not to accept government funding due to administrative requirements or lower funding rates than their standard fees. Always check with your chosen provider before applying.

You can search for registered providers in Wales using our nursery directory or contact your local Family Information Service for a list of participating providers in your area.

Key Differences Between Wales and England’s 30 Hours Schemes

While both Wales and England offer 30 hours of funded childcare for 3 and 4 year olds, there are important differences:

Feature	Wales (Childcare Offer)	England (30 Hours)
Working hours requirement	Both parents 16+ hours/week	Each parent 16 hours at NMW (or sole parent)
Income threshold	£100,000 upper limit per parent	£100,000 upper limit per parent
Weeks per year	48 weeks	38 weeks (term-time only)
Self-employed minimum	16 hours at NMW	Meet minimum income threshold
Structure	10 Foundation Phase + 20 childcare	All 30 hours as single entitlement
Reconfirmation	Every 3 months	Every 3 months

Parents moving between Wales and England should note these differences, particularly the upper earnings limit and extended year coverage in Wales.

For more information on England’s scheme, see our guide to 30 hours free childcare.

Common Questions About the Welsh Childcare Offer

Can I Use the Offer at Multiple Providers?

Yes, you can split the Foundation Phase education (10 hours) and childcare (20 hours) between different providers. However, each provider must be registered and approved to deliver the relevant element. Managing multiple providers can be logistically complex.

What Happens During School Holidays?

If you choose the 48-week pattern, your childcare continues during school holidays at your registered provider. If you choose the term-time pattern (using all 30 hours during term), you’ll need to arrange and pay for holiday care separately.

Do I Lose Hours If My Child Is Sick?

No. Funded hours are allocated for the term or year regardless of attendance. If your child is sick, you don’t lose your entitlement, though your provider’s sickness policies still apply.

What If I Return to Work Part-Time?

If you reduce your hours below 16 per week, you’ll lose eligibility for the 20-hour childcare element but retain the 10 hours of Foundation Phase nursery education. You must inform your Family Information Service immediately if your circumstances change.

Can Grandparents or Nannies Provide the Funded Hours?

No. The Childcare Offer can only be used at registered providers approved by Care Inspectorate Wales. Private arrangements with family members or unregistered nannies are not eligible, though you can use Tax-Free Childcare for these costs.

How to Find a Registered Provider in Wales

Finding the right nursery or childminder that participates in the Childcare Offer is essential. Use these resources:

• Good Nurseries directory — Search thousands of Welsh nurseries by location, ratings, and facilities. Filter by providers offering government funding.
• Family Information Service — Your local authority’s FIS maintains a list of approved providers in your area.
• Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) — Check registration and inspection reports for all registered childcare providers.

When visiting providers, ask:

• Do you participate in the Childcare Offer?
• How many funded places do you have available?
• What are your fees for additional hours beyond the funded entitlement?
• Can you accommodate the 48-week year-round pattern?
• Do you offer the Foundation Phase education on-site, or would we need to use a separate setting?

Compare nurseries using our nursery search to review fees, facilities, and inspection ratings.

Calculating Your Childcare Costs in Wales

Even with 30 funded hours, many working parents need additional childcare. Use our childcare cost calculator to estimate:

• How much you’ll pay for additional hours beyond the Childcare Offer
• Tax-Free Childcare savings on top-up hours
• Total annual childcare costs for multiple children

Understanding your full costs helps you budget effectively and decide whether to increase working hours, use Tax-Free Childcare, or adjust your childcare pattern.

Next Steps: Accessing Free Childcare in Wales

To access the Childcare Offer for Wales:

1. Check eligibility — Confirm you meet the working hours, income, and residency requirements
2. Find providers — Search for registered nurseries near you that participate in the scheme
3. Apply early — Submit your application at least one term before you need childcare to start
4. Reconfirm regularly — Log into your Family Information Service account every 3 months to maintain eligibility
5. Consider Tax-Free Childcare — Sign up for Tax-Free Childcare to cover any additional hours beyond the funded entitlement

For more information and to apply, contact your local authority’s Family Information Service or visit the Welsh Government’s Childcare Offer website.

The Childcare Offer gives Welsh families more weeks of coverage than England’s scheme — 48 vs 38. Apply early and make sure your chosen nursery participates before you commit.