Flying Start childcare

We are delighted to announce that Flying Start Childcare is now available to all 2-year-olds across the Caerphilly County Borough!

Flying Start childcare offers funded places for 2- to 3-year-olds living in the Caerphilly County Borough.

Places are available from the term after your child turns 2 until the end of the term, they turn 3, when they move on to Early Years Education.

Regular part-time attendance at high-quality childcare has shown to significantly improve outcomes for children. We encourage all eligible families to take up their place.

What you get

Children are entitled to a 2.5 hour session per day, 5 days a week, term time only.

In some cases (for example, working families), two sessions per day may be available. You can discuss this with your chosen Flying Start childcare provider.

Step 1: Check your child’s eligibility

Your child must:

• be 2 years old
• live in the Caerphilly County Borough

The address used must be:

• your child’s main home address
• where Child Benefit is paid
• the address registered with the health visitor

You cannot use:

• a relative’s address (such as a grandparent)
• a childcare provider’s address

You will need to provide proof of address when you apply.

Step 2: Check when you should apply

Check your child’s date of birth in the table below to see when you should apply.

We recommend applying during the preferred application periods. You can apply later, but places are limited and late applications may reduce your choice of childcare provider.

Child’s date of birth	Preferred application period	When your child can access their placement	Date you will be notified of the outcome
01/09/2023 to 31/12/2023	Was 01/09/2025 To 03/10/2025	05/01/2026 to December 2026	Within 10 working days of application
01/01/2024 to 31/03/2024	Was 05/01/2026 To 06/02/2026	13/04/2026 to Easter 2027	Within 10 working days of application
We are now able to take applications for children with a date of birth 01/04/2024 to 31/08/2024	13/04/2026 and 15/05/2026	Sept 2026 to  July 2027	Week commencing 08/06/2026
It is too soon to apply for children with a date of birth between 01/09/2024 to 31/12/2024	01/09/2026 To 02/10/2026	04/01/2027 to December 2027	Week commencing 09/11/2026
It is too soon to apply for children with a date of birth between 01/01/2025 to 31/03/2025	04/01/2027 To 05/02/2027	05/04/2027 to Easter 2028	Week commencing 22/02/2027

Step 3: Apply for Flying Start childcare

If your child is the right age and you live in the Caerphilly County Borough, complete the Flying Start Childcare Application Form.

You will need to upload:

• proof of your child’s age
• proof of address

Apply for Flying Start Childcare

Step 4: Eligibility approval

You will receive an email confirming whether your child is eligible (see the table above for notification dates).

This email will include:

• your child’s eligibility code
• Eligibility term/eligibility dates:
• funding end date

The email only confirms your child’s eligibility and does not secure a childcare place. You must arrange this yourself.

Step 5: Finding a Flying Start childcare provider

Once approved, you must contact a Flying Start approved childcare setting to arrange a place.

Support is available from:

• your Early Years Worker (if you have one), or
• the Early Years Hub

Funded places are only available at approved settings that meet quality standards and are contracted to deliver Flying Start childcare. This includes Welsh and English medium settings.

• Click here for a list of Flying Start childcare providers (DEWIS)

Note: DEWIS is currently unavailable. If you need information about Flying Start childcare providers in Caerphilly County Borough, please contact the Early Years Hub on 01443 863232 or email earlyyearshub@caerphilly.gov.uk. Childcare can also be found here, but please check that they offer Flying Start funded placements: https://www.childcareinformation.wales/ (Updated 11.08.2026)

Note: Vacancies change regularly, and your preferred provider may not have a place available. You should also check that the setting can meet your child’s individual needs.

For help choosing childcare, visit our Finding Childcare page.

Step 6: Before funding can start

Before funding can begin, your childcare provider must complete an online Individual Child Placement (ICP) Form. They will know where to access this and should be completed with you present.

This form:

• confirms the childcare arrangements
• requests the funding

It must include:

• your child’s eligibility code
• funding start date
• funding end date

These details are in your approval email.

Step 7: Wait for funding approval

Funding cannot start until the ICP is approved.

You and your childcare provider will receive an email confirming:

• funding start date
• funding end date
• funded hours agreed

This can take up to 20 working days, or longer during busy periods. Incomplete forms may delay approval.

Making changes to your funded hours

If you need to:

• change funded hours (up to 5 sessions of 2.5 hours), or
• end a placement early

You must speak to your childcare provider. A new ICP Form will be required to adjust the funding being received.

Further information

If you have any queries or need support, please contact the Early Years Hub.