Caerphilly County Borough has been named as one of seven areas to pilot a new childcare scheme.
Economy Secretary Ken Skates AM has announced that more than £100,000 will be spent to across Wales to strengthen the childcare sector and to support the delivery of the Welsh Government’s 30 hours of free early education and childcare.
The additional money will be used to increase the number of childcare places available in Blaenau Gwent, Flintshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Caerphilly and Gwynedd and Anglesey.
The funding will also help childcare businesses manage their finances and will ensure they are able to access more targeted support and advice from the Welsh Government’s business support service, Business Wales.
Mr Skates said: “Developing a flexible childcare offer is a top priority for the Welsh Government, and one vital element of the challenge is ensuring the necessary childcare places are available to families right across the country.
“The additional funding I am announcing will help to secure up to an additional 450 child care places across Wales over the next two years. It will also be used to improve the business support available to the sector including child minders and to help businesses improve how they manage their finances and grow sustainably.
“Ultimately it will be used to strengthen and develop the resilience of Wales’ childcare sector so it is well placed to deliver the flexible childcare offer that we know families want and need.”