The Childcare Offer provides all eligible parents with a combined 30 hours of government-funded childcare and Foundation Learning Provision (early education) for up to 48 weeks per year.
The 48 weeks includes 39 weeks of combined education and childcare during school term-time and 9 weeks of childcare outside of school terms.
You will be liable for any childcare used during the 4 unpaid weeks. These will always be school holiday weeks.
39 weeks of the year combined education and childcare during term-time
Foundation learning provision (early education)
| 12.5 hours |
Childcare offer
|
17.5 hours |
| = 30 hours per week
|
9 weeks of ‘holiday’ provision outside of school terms (3 weeks per term child is eligible)
Childcare offer
| 30 hours |
|---|
The Childcare Offer funding is for the childcare the professionals within the setting provide. It does not include food, transport or off-site activities that incur an extra charge and providers will be able to charge you for these.
If you would like to access the Tax-Free Childcare scheme to help with these additional costs you will need to submit a separate application on the GOV.UK website.
Find out more about the Tax-Free Childcare scheme.
You are eligible for the Childcare Offer if you live in Wales, have a 3 or 4 year old child and you are either:
-
Employed or self-employed earning at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage, up to £100,000 gross per year.
-
Enrolled on a further education course or a higher education undergraduate or postgraduate course that is at least 10 weeks in length.
If you have a partner who lives with you, they must also meet the criteria.
If your child has additional needs, there is extra funding available. Please contact us if your child may need additional support.
We cannot confirm if you are eligible until we have received and processed your completed application.
You can choose any childcare provider that has signed up to the Childcare Offer and are registered with the Care Inspectorate Wales.
You can find out if your chosen provider is currently signed up by contacting the Childcare Offer team on 03000 628 628 or checking
Dewis Cymru.
Making an application does not guarantee a childcare place.
When to apply
1 September 2018 to 31 August 2019
|
| 31 August 2023
| Open
|
1 September 2019 to 31 December 2019
| 9 January 2023
| 31 August 2024 | Open
|
1 January 2020 to 31 March 2020
| 17 April 2023
| 31 August 2024 | Open
|
1 April 2020 to 31 August 2020
| 4 September 2023
| 31 August 2024
| 6 June 2023
|
Applications received before the opening date will be rejected.
If you are eligible your funding will start once you have
set-up a childcare agreement with your provider and this agreement has been accepted.
We will carry out eligibility checks every term. It is your responsibility to let us and the childcare setting know if your circumstances change.
If your family’s circumstances change and you are no longer eligible for the scheme, you will still be able to access the offer for 8 weeks, giving you the opportunity to become eligible again.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your application, please contact us.
Call: 03000 628 628
Email: cardiffchildcareoffer@cardiff.gov.uk
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