Free Childcare for Two-Year-Olds in Wales: What Is Changing?

Wales is expanding 12.5 hours of funded childcare a week to all two-year-olds. On 4 November 2026, the Welsh Government said 19 of the 22 councils would offer it across their areas by the end of November, with the remaining councils on track for March 2027. Check your council’s arrangements before changing your childcare budget.

What is available now, and what comes later?

The expansion starts with two-year-olds. The November announcement also describes later plans for 20 hours a week over 48 weeks and younger children. Those plans do not mean every family can claim that larger offer today.

Is this the same as Flying Start or the Childcare Offer?

You may see the two-year-old provision described as Flying Start childcare or Welsh Government-funded childcare. The parent guide explains the expanding childcare provision and the extra Flying Start support available in disadvantaged areas. Access to childcare does not by itself mean every family receives all that extra support.

The Childcare Offer for Wales for eligible three- and four-year-olds is a separate scheme. England’s working-parent hours and application codes also do not apply to this Welsh two-year-old offer.

How do I apply for a place?

Start with your local Family Information Service. Ask which children can start, the application deadline for your child’s birthday and which settings have funded places. A nursery accepting Tax-Free Childcare is not confirmation that it delivers this council-funded offer too.

1. Give the council your home postcode and child’s date of birth.
2. Ask for the funded start date, available sessions and application route.
3. Check a suitable place with a participating provider, including Welsh-medium options.
4. Get the funded pattern and any remaining charges confirmed in writing.

Local dates matter. For example, Vale of Glamorgan’s current information describes term-time provision from the term after the second birthday until the term after the third. Ask your own council how its offer fits your child’s dates; a rollout milestone does not reserve a place.

What might my childcare bill look like?

Here is a simple illustration for one week in which funding applies. Suppose you book 20 hours, the provider allocates 12.5 funded hours to that booking, and the other 7.5 hours cost £8 each. The paid-hours bill is £60 before any agreed extras. This is an example, not a quoted nursery tariff or a guaranteed attendance pattern.

If those £60 costs qualify for Tax-Free Childcare and you have enough allowance, a £48 deposit receives £12 from the government, assuming no existing account balance. Confirm both your eligibility and the provider’s scheme registration using the Tax-Free Childcare rules. Enter only the remaining eligible bill in our calculator, leaving out hours already funded by the council.

What should I check before relying on the saving?

• Does your confirmed start date match the date you need care?
• Which weeks are funded, and what happens during school holidays?
• Can the available sessions cover your working day, including travel?
• What will you pay for extra hours, meals or other agreed items?
• What happens to the place and bill when your child turns three?