Childcare places and funding

Parents can apply for childcare places on offer in Walsall in a variety of ways. The information below tells you how parents can apply for different types of childcare and if there is any eligibility criteria which needs to be met.

Childcare places and entitlements

Working parents tax-free childcare for children 0-11 years

Both parents/carers need to be working, eligibility criteria apply
Parents apply for funding at Childcare Choices
Parents will give you an 11 digit code, which is generated upon application. This code must be re-confirmed in advance of every term.

Working parents on Universal Credits

Parents can apply for up to 85% of childcare costs.
They apply for this funding with their Universal Credit account.

Working parents 9-month-old entitlements

Both parents/carers need to be working, eligibility criteria apply.
15 hours from September 2024. Increases to 30 hours from September 2025.
Parents apply for funding at Childcare Choices
Parents will give you an 11 digit code, which is generated upon application. This code must be re-confirmed in advance of every term.

Two years old - places and funding

Working parents 2-year-old entitlement

Both parents/carers need to be working, eligibility criteria apply.
15 hours from September 2024. Increases to 30 hours from September 2025.
Parents apply for funding at Childcare Choices
Parents will give you an 11 digit code, which is generated upon application. This code must be re-confirmed in advance of every term.

Time 2 Start funding

Eligibility criteria for lower income families.
Parents apply via Walsall Families Information Service.
Parents are given a 5-digit code to use at a Walsall registered provider, this remains valid until the child receives Early Education funding for 3-Year-olds.
Foster parents – we will supply you with a code for foster carers. You can contact us for more information.

Three to four years old - places and funding

Early education funding

All children are entitled to 15 hours funding the term after they turn 3 years old. No code is needed for this.

30 Hours funding for working parents

Both parents/carers need to be working, eligibility criteria apply.
Parents apply for funding at Childcare Choices
Parents will give you an 11 digit code, which is generated upon application. This code must be re-confirmed in advance of every term.

Childcare Choices Toolkit for childcare providers

Childcare Choices have produced a toolkit to help you promote and explain childcare options and funding to parents. It includes email templates, leaflets, posters and social media content. Find out more about the resources in the Childcare Choices Toolkit.

Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)

EYPP funding may be available for some children in your setting. Parents can apply to claim this extra funding for the setting their child is attending. Find out more about the eligibility criteria for families who can claim EYPP.

How to claim EYPP funding

Private, voluntary and independent settings (PVIs) childminders

Ask parents to complete the Parental Declaration Form. This includes consent for an eligibility check. The form is included in your Provider Agreement issued during registration.
Enter the required information into the Synergy Provider Portal.

This allows us to check which children are eligible for EYPP. It ensures funding is only claimed once per eligible child.

Schools

Use the Parental Declaration Form if you provide:

funded hours for 2-year-olds, and/or
additional funded hours for working parents of 3- and 4-year-olds

For universal 15 hours for all 3 and 4 year olds, download, print and complete the Early Years Pupil Premium application form below.

Assistive technology users

Some of these files may not suitable for users of assistive technology. If you use assistive technology and need a version of the document in a more accessible format, please contact us. We will either provide you with an accessible version, or talk to you to explain the contents.

Early Years Pupil Premium application form
Download PDF (74.19 KB)

In all cases, enter the data into the Synergy Provider Portal so we can verify eligibility and process funding.

Technical support for the Synergy Provider Portal

You can email us for help with:

creating a new user account
resetting your password
problems with access
general technical queries