The Childcare Offer for Wales: help with childcare costs for eligible parents of 3 to 4 year olds

Do you need help with childcare costs? Under the Childcare Offer for Wales, you could claim up to 30 hours of early education and childcare a week, for up to 48 weeks of the year. This government-funded childcare scheme aims to lessen the burden of childcare costs so that you can spend the money you’ve saved on the things that matter most to your family.

The Offer 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 going back into education or training, but are worried about childcare costs, this support could make all the difference.

Whatever the Offer means for you and your family, don’t miss out on your share of this childcare funding.

Apply now for funded childcare from January 2025.

Apply now for funded childcare from January 2025

All parents wishing to receive Childcare Offer for Wales funded childcare will need to apply through the 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 your address
  • proof of your household income or enrolment on a higher or further education course

Contact us if you need help when preparing your application.

Am I eligible for funded childcare?

To be eligible for the Offer, each parent must:

  • live in Wales
  • have a child aged 3 or 4 years old
  • have a gross income of £100,000 or less per year
  • be employed and earn at least, on average, the equivalent to 16 hours a week at National Minimum Wage or Living Wage
  • or be enrolled on either an undergraduate, postgraduate or further education course that is at least 10 weeks in length

Gross income is the total income before any deductions, including but not limited to:

  • pension contributions
  • health insurance
  • salary sacrifice schemes
  • annual bonuses or dividends

Check if you're eligible for the Childcare Offer for Wales

What’s included in the Offer?

The Welsh Government’s Childcare Offer for Wales means that many parents of 3 to 4 year olds can receive help with childcare costs.

This means 30 hours of early education (also referred to as nursery education) and childcare in Wales for eligible parents. The 30 hours is made up of a minimum of 10 hours of early education a week and a maximum of 20 hours a week of childcare.

You will need to apply for Early Education hours separately.

Find out how to apply for Early Education hours from your local Family Information Service.

The Offer is available for 48 weeks of the year, meaning that it can help you with childcare costs for some of the school holidays.

Hundreds of nurseries, child minders, Cylch Meithrin, playgroups and crèches are now on board with the Offer, which means that you can choose a childcare provider that best meets you and your child’s needs. The Offer is available whether you want to access English, Welsh or bilingual childcare. 

Pre-school is a great time to start your child’s bilingual journey, so if you would like to find out more about the benefits of your child learning Welsh, please see Cymraeg i Blant.

Where can I find a childcare provider?

When Choosing Childcare  find out about the benefits and types of childcare available in Wales

Your local Family Information Service will be able to help you find a registered provider that offers the service that meets your needs when accessing your funded hours.

I am a childcare provider. How do I participate in the Offer?

If you are a childcare provider our provider guidance  gives you information on the Childcare Offer for Wales.