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Cardiff Council

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The Childcare Offer for Wales

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chilcare offer_EN.png​ 

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

You can claim up to 30 hours of early education and childcare a week. The scheme covers up to 48 weeks of the year. 

The Childcare Offer helps eligible parents:

  • return to work
  • increase their hours
  • work more flexibly
  • go back into education or training 


 ​


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 ed​ucation and childcare during term-time
Education and childcare provision
Hours per week
​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 ter​ms (3 weeks per term child is eligible)​
Holiday provision
Hours per week​
​Childcare offer
30 hours​​​









You do not need to apply for early education in order to use the childcare element of the Offer. Your entitlement will include these hours whether you access them or not.  Find out how to apply for an early education place​.

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​
Child's date of birth
Eligible from
Eligible to
Applications open
1 September 2019 to 31 August 2020

31 August 2024
Open 
​1 September 2020 to 31 December 2020 
​8 January 2024
31 August 2025​​Open
​1 January 2021 to 31 March 2021
​8 April 2024
31 August 2025​​Open
​1 April 2021 to 31 August 2021
​2 September 2024
​31 August 2025
​4 June 2024

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.​​


You can apply on the Childcare Offer for Wales website.


This application is for the Childcare Offer element only. You must visit nursery admissions to apply for early education​
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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