Looking for funding information for a specific nation?
England | Scotland
Everything you need to know about funded childcare as a provider in Wales
Rising costs and stagnant funding rates are putting increasing pressure on private and voluntary nurseries in Wales as National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Cymru reveals its 2024 survey results here.
You can direct parents to the Welsh Government’s Teulu parenting website for support.
Wales offers funded early years support through two main programmes: The Childcare Offer for Wales and Flying Start. These schemes help families access funded childcare and support providers delivering high‑quality early education.
Childcare Offer for Wales
Under the Childcare Offer for Wales, parents of three and four-year-olds could claim up to 30 hours of early education and childcare a week, for up to 48 weeks of the year.
- Childcare Offer for Wales guidance for providers and information for parents
- Childcare Offer for Wales guidance for local authorities
Flying Start
Flying Start helps families with children under four-years-old in disadvantaged areas of Wales. The Flying Start programme in Wales is being rolled out currently with more areas being brought on board.
Help available includes:
- Part-time childcare for two to three-year-olds for 12.5 hours per week for 39 weeks of the year
- An enhanced Health Visiting service
- Access to parenting programmes
- Support for children to learn to talk and communicate.
The Flying Start programme is currently going through an expansion for the childcare element.
- Flying Start information from the Welsh Government.
- Phased expansion of Flying Start programme.
Template letters for parents and MPs/MSs about rising employment costs (from April 2025)
NDNA Cymru members have asked for support explaining the increased employment costs facing early years providers from April 2025.
NDNA has produced two customisable templates:
- Letter to parents
- Letter to MPs/MSs
These include national context and figures to help providers communicate clearly with families and decision‑makers.
Funded childcare in Wales FAQs
Parents of three‑ and four‑year‑olds may be eligible for up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week for 48 weeks a year.
Flying Start includes 12.5 hours a week of funded childcare for 2–3‑year‑olds, along with parenting programmes, speech/language support and enhanced health visiting.
Yes, the Flying Start childcare element is expanding in phases, with more areas gradually being added.
Parents can be directed to the Welsh Government’s Teulu parenting website for guidance and support.
Yes. NDNA provides templates for parents and MPs/MSs, which you can adapt to your setting.