Applying for funded nursery hours in Wales can feel confusing, especially with the different schemes available depending on your child's age and your working status. Between understanding the Foundation Phase, the Childcare Offer for Wales, and the Flying Start scheme, it is easy to miss a step that could delay your childcare support.
Applying for funded nursery hours in Wales can feel confusing, especially with the different schemes available depending on your child's age and your working status. Between understanding the Foundation Phase, the Childcare Offer for Wales, and the Flying Start scheme, it is easy to miss a step that could delay your childcare support.
This guide focuses purely on the steps you will need to take through the application process. It explains how to apply for funded nursery hours in Wales, what you will need before you start, when to apply, and how to keep your funding once it is approved.
Who This Guide Is For
This guide is designed for parents and carers in Wales who:
- Are applying for 15 or 30 hours of funded nursery childcare
- Have a child starting nursery soon, or are planning ahead
- Already know (or believe) they may be eligible and want clear next steps
- Need help understanding where and how to apply, not just what funding exists
If you’re still working out which funding you qualify for or how funded hours affect your overall childcare costs, make sure to read Understanding Nursery Costs in the UK first. Once you’re ready to apply, this guide will walk you through the process step by step.
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Who is Eligible for Free Childcare in Wales?
Here is a quick overview of who is eligible to apply for funded nursery care and free childcare hours in Wales.
All 3 and 4-Year-Olds (Foundation Phase)
Every child in Wales is entitled to a minimum of 10 hours per week of funded early education as part of the Foundation Phase. This is available to all families, regardless of working status, and starts the term after your child turns 3.
Working Families – The Childcare Offer for Wales
Eligible working parents of 3 and 4-year-olds can get an additional 20 hours of free childcare per week on top of the 10 hours of early education. This brings the total to 30 hours per week for up to 48 weeks of the year.
To qualify for the Childcare Offer for Wales, both parents (or the sole parent in a single-parent family) must be working and earning at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage. Neither parent can have a gross income of more than £100,000 per year.
Some 2-Year-Olds (Flying Start)
The Flying Start scheme provides up to 12.5 hours of free childcare a week for eligible 2-year-olds. This scheme is currently targeted at specific areas in Wales, though the Welsh Government is gradually expanding it. You can check with your local Family Information Service to see if your postcode is included.
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What You Need Before You Apply for Funded Childcare
Getting a few things ready in advance will make the application process much smoother and help you avoid delays.
Before you apply for the Childcare Offer for Wales, make sure you have:
- Your child's birth certificate
- Your National Insurance number
- Your employment address and postcode (and your partner's, if applicable)
- Details of your average weekly earnings and gross annual salary
- Proof of address and proof of earnings (such as recent payslips)
When you are choosing a nursery for your child, it is also a good idea to check whether it is registered with Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) and approved to deliver the Childcare Offer.
How to Apply for Nursery Funded Hours in Wales
Once you have checked that you are likely to be eligible, the application itself is fairly straightforward. The key is applying at the right time and making sure your details stay up to date.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Start by using the Welsh Government's online eligibility checker for the Childcare Offer for Wales. This will confirm whether you meet the working and income requirements for the additional 20 hours of childcare.
Step 2: Apply Online
If you are eligible, you will need to create a Childcare Offer for Wales account online via the GOV.WALES website. One lead parent needs to complete the application, even if you have shared custody. You will upload your supporting documents, such as your child's birth certificate and your proof of earnings, directly to this portal.
Step 3: Choose a Nursery That Accepts Funded Hours
Use Nuuri to search for nurseries near you that meet all your criteria. In Wales, childcare providers must be registered with Care Inspectorate Wales to offer funded hours. Before applying, confirm that the nursery accepts the Childcare Offer, has availability for the term you want to start, and can accommodate the hours you need.
Step 4: Create an Online Agreement
Once your application is approved, you will receive an email notification. You then need to sign back into your Childcare Offer account and create an online agreement with your chosen nursery, specifying the hours you will use. The nursery will then review and approve this agreement.
Step 5: Reconfirm Your Eligibility
To keep receiving the Childcare Offer, you must confirm your continued eligibility every term. The Welsh Government will send a reminder to your registered email address. You must sign in to your account and either confirm there are no changes to your circumstances or update your details.
When to Apply For Funded Childcare in Wales
Funded nursery hours do not start immediately on your child's birthday. They begin from the term after your child turns 3, which makes timing especially important.
You can apply in advance to receive your government-funded childcare for the next term as long as your child is eligible. The exact start dates for terms are determined by your local council, but generally align with the start of the autumn (September), spring (January), and summer (April) school terms.
If you miss the cut-off for a term, you may have to wait several months for funding to begin, even if your child has already started nursery.
What Funded Hours Do (and Do Not) Cover in Wales
Funded nursery hours reduce your childcare bill, but they do not always cover everything. In Wales, your funded hours pay for the childcare itself.
You may still be charged for:
- Meals and snacks
- Nappies and wipes
- Transport or special activities
- Extra hours outside your 30-hour entitlement
Each nursery sets its own policies, so always ask for a clear breakdown before you start.
Making the Right Choice for Your Child
Apply early, double-check your eligibility dates, and keep your details up to date. Funded nursery hours can make a real difference to childcare costs, but only if everything is in place before your child starts.
Find the right nursery with Nuuri and get started with applying for funded childcare.
Frequently asked questions
You can apply in the term your child turns 3, ready for the funding to start at the beginning of the following term. It is best to apply as soon as the application window opens for your target term.
The Foundation Phase provides 10 hours of universal early education for all 3- and 4-year-olds. The Childcare Offer provides an additional 20 hours of childcare specifically for eligible working parents, bringing the total to 30 hours.
Yes. For the Childcare Offer for Wales, you must reconfirm your eligibility every term by logging into your online account. If you do not reconfirm, you could lose your funded place.
Yes. The Childcare Offer for Wales provides 30 hours of funded childcare for up to 48 weeks of the year, which means it covers 9 weeks of the school holidays in addition to the 39 weeks of term time.
If you lose your job or your income changes, you must update your details in your Childcare Offer account immediately. You will usually be given an 8-week temporary extension period where you can still access the free childcare while you look for new employment.
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