Government-funded early education and childcare in Wales is not classed as a 'public fund' for immigration purposes, so can be accessed by a child regardless of their immigration status.
The following schemes are available to families in Wales:
Families in Wales can access tax-free childcare but the parents will need to meet an immigration requirement.
Local authorities can provide assistance to disadvantaged families such as around access to free childcare, child learning and development, and parental support, through the Flying Start Scheme. Eligible 2 and 3-year-olds may be able to access 12.5 hours free childcare per week for 39 weeks per year under the scheme. Eligibility is also subject to location, as currently the scheme is only operating in certain areas.
The free childcare hours can only be accessed 2.5 hours per day 5 days per week.
The Childcare Offer for Wales enables some children from the age of 3 to receive up to 30 hours per week in free early education and childcare. If a child is 4 years old, they will only qualify for free early education and childcare whilst they are ineligible for full-time education.
The 30 hours is split between 10 hours free early education which is available to all, and 20 hours childcare for working parents. The number of free early education hours provided may vary depending on the local authority, but each child is entitled to at least 10 hours per week.
To be eligible for the free 20 hours childcare per week, each parent must have an income of less than £100,000 be either:
The Welsh government have produced an online checker which can help a person determine whether they might be eligible to access free childcare and early education.
To apply for the Childcare Offer for Wales, an application must be made to the local authority. The 20 hours childcare must be applied for through a separate application.
Read more on Childcare in Wales on the government’s website.
Working parents in Wales may be eligible for tax-free childcare. Read more about tax free childcare.
