Funded Childcare in Walsall: How to Access Your Free Hours

Walsall borough is home to over 269,000 residents spread across Walsall town centre, Bloxwich, Aldridge, Willenhall, Darlaston, Brownhills and Pelsall – and families right across the borough can access free childcare worth thousands of pounds a year. Walsall Council was even selected as one of twenty local authorities to take part in a national early years recruitment drive, offering a £1,000 “golden hello” to new childcare workers to help grow the sector locally.

Whether you live on the west side near Darlaston and Willenhall, the northern communities of Bloxwich and Brownhills, or the more suburban east around Aldridge and Streetly, this guide explains exactly what funded childcare is available to your family.

What Funded Childcare Is Available in Walsall?

Universal 15 Hours for 3 and 4 Year Olds

All children in Walsall are entitled to 15 hours of funded early learning per week (570 hours per year) from the term after their third birthday. This continues until the child starts full-time school. No code or application is needed.

30 Hours for Working Parents of 3 and 4 Year Olds

Working parents meeting the income criteria can claim 30 hours per week (1,140 hours per year). You’ll give your nursery an 11-digit eligibility code which must be reconfirmed every term.

Free Early Learning for Eligible 2 Year Olds

Walsall offers 15 hours of funded childcare for 2 year olds from families receiving qualifying benefits. To check eligibility, contact Walsall Family Information Service (FIS) on 01922 653383 or visit the “Can I get a 2 year old place?” page at mywalsall.org. If eligible, you’ll receive a confirmation letter with a unique 5-digit code to take to a Walsall registered provider. Foster parents receive a separate code – contact the council directly.

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

Since September 2025, eligible working parents in Walsall with children from 9 months old can access 30 hours per week. Walsall Council has been working closely with the DfE and local providers to develop capacity for this expansion, confirming that sufficient childcare places are available across the borough.

Checking Your Eligibility in Walsall

For working parent entitlements, each parent must earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at the National Minimum Wage (roughly £195 per week from April 2025) with individual income below £100,000 per year.

For 2-year-old places, eligibility depends on receiving benefits such as Universal Credit (with earnings under the threshold), Income Support, income-related ESA, or income-based JSA. Children with an EHC plan, those receiving DLA, and looked-after children also qualify.

Check eligibility online at gov.uk/check-eligible-free-childcare-if-youre-working, or call Walsall FIS on 01922 653383.

How to Apply in Walsall

For working parent entitlements, apply through HMRC’s Childcare Service at gov.uk. Applications can take up to 7 days. Once approved, share your 11-digit code with your provider. Apply by 31 August for September, 31 December for January, and 31 March for April.

For 2-year-old places, contact Walsall FIS on 01922 653383. If eligible, you’ll receive a letter with a unique code and tear-off strip. Your provider cannot offer a free place without seeing this. Lost the letter? Request a duplicate from FIS.

For universal 15 hours, contact your preferred provider directly. No code needed.

Stretching Your Funded Hours in Walsall

Instead of 30 hours per week over 38 weeks of term time, some Walsall nurseries and childminders let you stretch the same 1,140 total hours over more weeks – for example, taking fewer hours each week across 48 or 51 weeks. This is particularly helpful for parents working year-round, including shift workers at Walsall Manor Hospital, Amazon Darlaston, or commuters heading into Birmingham or Wolverhampton. Ask your provider directly – not all offer this.

Walsall Family Hubs and Local Support

Walsall is one of seventy-five areas across England to have launched Family Hubs. These are spread across the borough and offer childcare advice, health visiting, early years support, Stay and Play sessions and more:

Bloxwich – Beechdale Centre, Stephenson Square, Bloxwich WS2 7DY (01922 746967)

Willenhall – Willenhall Chart, 19 Gomer Street, Willenhall WV13 2NS (01922 368199)

Darlaston – Darlaston Town Hall, Victoria Road, Darlaston WV10 8AA (0121 568 6144)

Brownhills – Brownhills Community Centre, Chester Road North, Brownhills WS8 7JS (01543 452119)

Rushall – Manor Farm Community Association, King George Crescent, Rushall WS4 1EU (01922 614316)

Moxley – Moxley People’s Centre, 3 Queen Street, Moxley WS10 8TA (01902 496378)

Ryecroft – Ryecroft Community Hub, 28 New Forest Road, Walsall WS3 1TR (01922 626693)

The Walsall Family Information Service (FIS) is the main contact for all childcare funding queries. Call 01922 653383, visit mywalsall.org/fis, or email EYandChildcareExpansion@walsall.gov.uk.

Finding Nurseries Across Walsall Borough

Walsall town centre, Bloxwich, Aldridge, Willenhall, Darlaston, Brownhills and Pelsall all have nurseries, childminders and pre-schools accepting funded places. The geographic divide in the borough – with more deprived western communities and more suburban eastern areas – means provision varies, so it’s worth searching across neighbouring areas too.

On BookAllCare, you can search for Ofsted-registered nurseries across the whole Walsall borough – filter by area, compare settings, and send free enquiries to find the right nursery for your child.

Reconfirming and Combining Your Hours

Reconfirm eligibility every 3 months through your online Childcare Account. Parents already claiming Tax-Free Childcare may receive a code automatically from HMRC. If you get two codes (one by letter, one online), both are valid.

You can combine funded hours with Tax-Free Childcare (£2,000 per child per year) or claim up to 85% of childcare costs through Universal Credit – but not both at the same time. Visit childcarechoices.gov.uk to compare.

Find Your Perfect Nursery on BookAllCare

Looking for a nursery in Walsall, Bloxwich, Aldridge, Willenhall or Darlaston that accepts funded childcare places? BookAllCare makes it simple to search, compare and enquire with Ofsted-registered nurseries across the whole Walsall borough. Find the setting that’s right for your child.

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