How the account works
You open a childcare account on GOV.UK and pay money in. For every £8 you deposit, the government adds £2 — up to £500 every three months per child, or £1,000 if your child is disabled. That is a 20% saving on the childcare you pay for, worth up to £2,000 a year.
Both parents normally need to be working and earning at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at minimum wage, with neither earning over £100,000. You must reconfirm your details every three months or payments stop — put a reminder in your phone.
Using it with us
Both our Cardiff and Newport nurseries are registered to receive Tax-Free Childcare payments. Add us as a provider in your account, then schedule the payment to reach us before your invoice due date on the 1st of the month. You can use Tax-Free Childcare on top of the Childcare Offer, but not at the same time as Universal Credit childcare support.
Related guides for parents
Childcare funding in Wales vs England
Why the 'free hours from nine months' headlines do not apply here, and what Welsh families get instead.
A typical day at our nursery
Drop-off, snack, outdoor time, meals and naps — hour by hour, in Welsh and English.
The Curiosity Approach and outdoor play
Why our rooms look the way they do, and how much time children spend outside in every weather.
How to choose a nursery in Cardiff or Newport
The questions to ask on a visit, what CIW reports tell you, and the signs of a settled room.
You may also want to see nursery fees and funded hours or read parents' most-asked questions.
Come and see us in person
Book a visit to our Cardiff or Newport nursery — we'll show you the rooms, the garden and the food.