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
- 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.
- Parents can apply for up to 85% of childcare costs.
- They apply for this funding with their Universal Credit account.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
All children are entitled to 15 hours funding the term after they turn 3 years old. No code is needed for this.
- 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.
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 get EYPP for your setting
Childminders, schools and private, voluntary and independent settings (PVIs)
You can ask families to complete a Confirmation of Attendance form and give consent for an eligibility check to be made via the Provider Portal. The Confirmation of Attendance form is in your Provider Agreement, which we send to you as part of your registration process. The information you enter into the portal will identify which children at your setting are eligible for EYPP funding. We'll also use this information to ensure that the funding is claimed once for each child.
Schools not using the Provider Portal
If your setting doesn't use the Provider Portal you can ask parents to use our online form to apply for EYPP. Parents can also apply using a paper form if necessary. Use our weekly secure courier service to return the forms to us. Electronic and paper forms are processed by the Frees School Meals/EYPP team and they will tell you which children at your school are eligible for the funding.
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.
