Funded Childcare in Walsall: What Parents Need to Know

If you are a parent in Walsall trying to work out what free childcare your family is entitled to, this guide covers everything in one place. We explain who qualifies, how much you can claim, how to apply, and how to find nurseries in Walsall that actually have funded places available right now.

Whether you live in Bloxwich, Aldridge, Willenhall, Darlaston, Brownhills, Pelsall or Walsall town centre, the same entitlements apply across the whole borough. The difference is knowing which nurseries near you accept funded hours and have spaces — and that is where most parents get stuck.

What funded childcare can you claim in Walsall?

The government funds free childcare hours for children from nine months old up to school age. How much you get depends on your child’s age, whether you work, and your household income.

The 30-hour entitlement could save your family up to £7,500 per year per child, depending on the nursery fees in your area.

Universal 15 hours: free for every 3 and 4-year-old

Every child in Walsall is entitled to 15 hours of free early education per week from the term after they turn three. This is a universal entitlement — it applies to all families regardless of income or working status.

You do not need a code or an application. Simply contact your chosen nursery, pre-school or registered childminder and they will set up the funded place directly. Providers must be registered with both Ofsted and Walsall Council to offer funded places.

You can spread the hours flexibly across the week, and you can use them at more than one provider if that suits your family. The entitlement runs for 38 weeks per year (term time), although some providers offer “stretched” options that spread fewer weekly hours across more weeks.

30 hours for working parents of 3 and 4-year-olds

If both parents (or a single parent) are working, you may qualify for an additional 15 hours on top of the universal entitlement, giving you 30 free hours per week in total.

To qualify, each parent must earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at the National Minimum Wage. From April 2025, this means a minimum of approximately £195 per week or £10,158 per year. Neither parent can earn more than £100,000 per year.

You may also qualify if one parent is working and the other is temporarily away on parental leave, statutory sick pay, or is unable to work due to a disability or caring responsibilities.

30 hours for working parents of children aged 9 months to 3 years

Since September 2025, the 30-hour entitlement has been extended to all eligible working parents with children from nine months old. The same income and working criteria apply as for the 3 and 4-year-old entitlement.

This is a significant expansion. Previously, working parents with children under three could only access 15 hours per week. Now, eligible families can access the full 30 hours from the term after their child turns nine months, continuing until the child starts school.

You can apply from when your child is 23 weeks old. Your child will be able to start accessing the hours from the term after they turn nine months.

Funded places for disadvantaged 2-year-olds

If your family is on a lower income, your 2-year-old may qualify for 15 hours of free childcare per week even if you are not working. Eligibility is based on receiving certain benefits or having a household income below specific thresholds.

You may qualify if your family receives Universal Credit and earns less than £15,400 per year after tax, or if you receive other qualifying benefits such as income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, the Working Tax Credit 4-week run-on, or support under the Immigration and Asylum Act.

Your child may also qualify if they have an Education, Health and Care Plan, receive Disability Living Allowance, or have been looked after by the local authority.

Time 2 Start: Walsall’s local funded scheme

Walsall runs its own funded scheme for 2-year-olds called Time 2 Start. This is administered locally through the Walsall Families Information Service rather than the national Childcare Choices website. If you qualify, you receive a 5-digit code to use at any Walsall-registered provider. Contact Walsall FIS on 01922 653383 to check your eligibility.

How to apply for funded childcare in Walsall

The application route depends on which entitlement you are claiming:

1. Universal 15 hours (3 and 4-year-olds): No application needed. Speak directly to your chosen nursery. They handle the funding claim with the council. You will just need to show your child’s birth certificate and sign a parental declaration form.
2. 30 hours for working parents (any eligible age): Apply online at childcarechoices.gov.uk. You will need your name, address, National Insurance number, and your income details. If eligible, HMRC will issue an 11-digit code. Give this code to your nursery along with your National Insurance number and your child’s birth certificate.
3. Disadvantaged 2-year-olds / Time 2 Start: Contact the Walsall Families Information Service on 01922 653383 or email walsallfis@walsall.gov.uk. They will check your eligibility and guide you through the process.

How to find nurseries accepting funded childcare in Walsall

Having a funded childcare code is only half the process. You still need to find a nursery that accepts funded hours and has a place available for your child’s age group. In a borough like Walsall, where nurseries are spread across Bloxwich, Aldridge, Willenhall, Darlaston, Brownhills, Pelsall and the town centre, checking availability at each one individually can mean hours of phone calls.

BookAllCare’s nursery comparison tool lets you compare nurseries across Walsall side by side. You can see which nurseries accept funded hours, check their Ofsted ratings, compare fees for any additional hours you need, and see whether they currently have places available — all without picking up the phone.

Other ways to reduce childcare costs in Walsall

Funded hours cover a significant portion of childcare costs, but many families need additional hours beyond what the government funds. Here are other schemes that can help:

Tax-Free Childcare: For every £8 you pay into your childcare account, the government adds £2 — up to £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 for disabled children). You can use Tax-Free Childcare alongside your 30-hour funded place to cover any additional hours or extras. You cannot use it alongside Universal Credit childcare support or childcare vouchers.

Universal Credit childcare element: If you receive Universal Credit, you can claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs, up to £646.35 per month for one child or £1,108.04 for two or more children. This covers children up to age 16.

Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP): Your nursery may be able to claim extra funding for your child if your family is on a low income or your child meets other qualifying criteria. EYPP provides additional resources to support your child’s learning and development. Ask your nursery whether your child qualifies.

To check which combination of support your family is eligible for, use the government’s Childcare Calculator at childcarechoices.gov.uk.

What to check when choosing a nursery in Walsall

Once you know what funded hours you can claim, choosing the right nursery comes down to several practical factors. When comparing nurseries in Walsall, look at:

• Ofsted rating — all nurseries offering funded places must be Ofsted-registered. Ratings range from Outstanding to Inadequate.
• Availability — does the nursery have a space for your child’s age group right now, or is there a waiting list?
• Fees for additional hours — if you need more than your funded hours, what does the nursery charge per additional hour or session?
• Extra charges — some nurseries charge separately for meals, nappies, sun cream or activities. Government guidance says these should never be a condition of accessing your funded place.
• Session flexibility — can you use your funded hours across different days, or are they tied to specific sessions?
• Location and commute — is the nursery close to your home or workplace? In Walsall, travel time between areas like Aldridge and Darlaston can be significant.

Checking all of this across multiple nurseries is exactly what BookAllCare’s comparison tool is designed for.

Key dates and deadlines for Walsall parents

Funded childcare terms start on fixed dates each year. Your child can begin accessing their funded hours from the term after they reach the qualifying age. Here are the key dates:

If you miss the application deadline for a term, you will need to wait until the following term to start using your funded hours. Apply early to avoid delays.

Where to get local help in Walsall

If you are unsure which funded childcare you qualify for, or you need help with the application, the Walsall Families Information Service provides free, impartial advice for all families in the borough.

Phone: 01922 653383

Email: walsallfis@walsall.gov.uk

Location: Central Children’s Library, Lichfield Street, Walsall, WS1 1TR

Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 10:00–13:30 and 14:00–18:00, Saturday 9:00–17:00

You can also visit the Walsall Family Hubs for face-to-face support, or use the government’s Childcare Calculator at childcarechoices.gov.uk to check all the schemes your family may be eligible for.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my funded hours at any nursery in Walsall?

You can use your funded hours at any Ofsted-registered provider that is also registered with Walsall Council to deliver funded places. This includes day nurseries, pre-schools, school nursery classes and registered childminders. Not all providers choose to offer funded places, so always check before booking.

Can I split my funded hours across two nurseries?

Yes. You can use your funded hours at more than one provider. For example, you could use 15 hours at a nursery near your workplace and 15 hours at a childminder near home. Both providers will need your eligibility code and will claim their share of the funding from the council.

Will I have to pay anything on top of the funded hours?

Your nursery should not charge you a “top-up fee” to access your funded place. However, they can charge for optional extras such as meals, consumables and additional activities. These charges should be clearly itemised on your invoice and should never be a condition of taking up your funded hours. If a nursery is asking you to buy extra paid hours as a condition of accessing your free hours, this goes against government guidance.

What happens if my income changes during the year?

If you stop meeting the eligibility criteria, you enter a “grace period” during which your child can continue accessing the funded hours until the end of the current term (or the next term, depending on when the change happens). This gives you time to adjust without your child losing their place immediately.

How do I find which Walsall nurseries have funded places available right now?

Availability changes frequently as children move up age groups or leave nurseries. Rather than calling around, you can use BookAllCare’s nursery comparison tool to see which nurseries in Walsall currently have spaces, filter by funded hours acceptance, and compare Ofsted ratings and fees side by side.