Funded Childcare in Sandwell: Your Guide to Free Hours

Sandwell is a borough of six towns – West Bromwich, Smethwick, Oldbury, Tipton, Wednesbury and Rowley Regis – and families across all of them can access free childcare and early education through the government’s funded hours scheme. Whether you’re in Bearwood, Cradley Heath, Blackheath, Great Bridge or anywhere else in the borough, this guide explains what you’re entitled to and exactly how to get it.

Sandwell Council, working with its Family Information Service Hub, administers all funded childcare entitlements locally. Here’s what’s available.

What Free Hours Are Available in Sandwell?

Universal 15 Hours for 3 and 4 Year Olds

All 3 and 4 year old children across Sandwell are entitled to 15 hours of free early education per week (570 hours per year) from the term after their third birthday. No code is needed – just contact your chosen Ofsted-registered nursery, childminder or pre-school. Be aware that school nurseries in Sandwell may only offer places from the start of the autumn term in September, and attending a school nursery does not guarantee a Reception place at that school.

30 Hours for Working Parents of 3 and 4 Year Olds

Working parents may qualify for an additional 15 hours, totalling 30 hours per week (1,140 hours per year). Some Sandwell nurseries offer a stretched model across 52 weeks using fewer hours per week – ideal if you need year-round cover and you’re commuting into Birmingham or working shifts.

Early Learning for Eligible 2 Year Olds

Families in Sandwell on qualifying benefits can access 15 hours of free childcare per week for their 2 year old. This includes families on Universal Credit with household income of £15,400 or less, plus children with an EHC plan, those receiving DLA, and looked-after children.

30 Hours from 9 Months for Working Parents (Since September 2025)

Since September 2025, eligible working parents across Sandwell with children from 9 months old can access 30 hours of funded childcare per week. This expansion could save families up to £7,500 per year per child.

Who Qualifies in Sandwell?

For working parent entitlements, each parent must earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at the National Minimum Wage and earn less than £100,000 per year. Parents studying, grandparents with parental responsibility, and self-employed parents who meet the criteria also qualify. Once your child is in Reception class, they’re no longer eligible for the funded childcare entitlements.

For the 2-year-old entitlement, check with Sandwell’s Family Information Service. For the universal 15 hours, there are no eligibility requirements beyond your child’s age.

How to Apply in Sandwell

30 Hours and Extended Working Parent Hours

Apply through HMRC’s online Childcare Service at gov.uk. Once approved, share your 11-digit code with your nursery. Reconfirm every 3 months – even if your child hasn’t started their place yet. You can only start claiming at the beginning of each new term. Apply by 31 August for September, 31 December for January, and 31 March for April.

2-Year-Old Funded Places

Contact the Sandwell Family Information Service Hub online at fis.sandwell.gov.uk or by calling 0121 569 4194. You can also email earlyyears_team@sandwell.gov.uk. Once confirmed eligible, your provider handles the rest.

Universal 15 Hours

Contact your preferred provider directly – no code or application is needed.

Sandwell Family Information Service and Family Hubs

The Sandwell Family Information Service (FIS) Hub at fis.sandwell.gov.uk is your main resource. It lists childcare providers, family support services and activities across all six towns. You can search for nurseries offering funded places, get advice on eligibility and access the Good To Know newsletter for local family updates.

Sandwell also has a network of Family Hubs run in partnership with Barnardo’s, with core sites in each of the six towns. These offer Stay and Play sessions, baby massage, Play Talk Read groups, parenting support and more:

Smethwick Family Hub – Corbett Street, Smethwick B66 3PX (0121 555 6756)

Oldbury Family Hub – 20–25 Tividale Street, Tipton DY4 7SD

Rowley Regis Family Hub – Dudley Road, Rowley Regis B65 8JY

Tipton Family Hub – 24 Ridgeway Road, Tipton DY4 0TB (0121 522 5150)

Wednesbury Family Hub – Dorsett Road, Wednesbury WS10 0JG (0121 556 5405)

West Bromwich Central Family Hub – off Claypit Lane, West Bromwich B70 9EZ (0121 500 4011)

West Bromwich North Family Hub – Connor Road, West Bromwich B71 3DJ

These hubs are a great first stop if you’re new to the area or unsure about your childcare options.

Finding Nurseries Across Sandwell’s Six Towns

Every town in Sandwell has its own childcare providers. West Bromwich and Smethwick have the largest concentrations of day nurseries, while Tipton, Wednesbury, Oldbury and Rowley Regis (including Blackheath and Cradley Heath) each have a mix of childminders, pre-schools and nursery settings. The Workplace Nursery at Sandwell Council House in Oldbury, for example, is Ofsted-rated Outstanding and offers both 15 and 30 hour funded places – open to council staff and the general public.

You can split hours across up to two providers and use a mix of nurseries, childminders and pre-schools. If using more than one provider, both must agree the total hours and deliver entitlement over the same number of weeks.

On BookAllCare, you can search for Ofsted-registered nurseries across West Bromwich, Smethwick, Oldbury, Tipton, Wednesbury and Rowley Regis that accept funded places – compare, enquire and book viewings, all completely free.

Extra Funding Available in Sandwell

Children aged 3 and 4 in Sandwell who meet criteria may qualify for Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP), which gives nurseries extra funding to support learning. Children receiving DLA and claiming a funded place could also be eligible for the Disability Access Fund (DAF) – worth £915 per year to help providers make reasonable adjustments.

Tax-Free Childcare can be used alongside your funded hours – the government tops up your childcare account by £2 for every £8 you pay, up to £2,000 per child per year. Visit childcarechoices.gov.uk to compare your options.

Find Your Perfect Nursery on BookAllCare

Ready to find a nursery in West Bromwich, Smethwick, Oldbury, Tipton, Wednesbury or Rowley Regis that accepts funded childcare places? BookAllCare lets you search and compare Ofsted-registered nurseries across all six Sandwell towns. See key details, check availability and send free enquiries.

Browse nurseries now at bookallcare.com – it’s completely free for parents to search, compare and enquire.

— Nanny Marj

Nanny Marj’s Memos – Your trusted guide to childcare in the West Midlands