Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

A scheme offering 30 hours of childcare for working parents of three and four-year-olds is being extended to include more parents, the Welsh Government has announced.

From September, the childcare offer will include parents in education and training – as well as parents on adoption leave.

The Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Social Services, Julie Morgan, said: “Increasing support with childcare costs for parents in education and training reflects the value we place on supporting people to improve their employment prospects by gaining qualifications, retraining or changing career paths.”

She continued: “Our Programme for Government outlined our pledge to provide more childcare for parents in education and training and we are committed to supporting working families with the costs of childcare.

“It is fantastic we are able to continue expanding the Childcare Offer to increase the number of families accessing the offer.”

The Welsh Government has also announced it will spend an extra £6m per year to boost the hourly rate for childcare providers from £4.50 to £5 per hour from April.

Ministers have also committed to reviewing the rate at least every three years, while the amount childcare settings can charge for food each day will rise from £7.50 to £9 to reflect rising food and energy prices.

Meanwhile, an extra £3.5m will be pumped into the Flying Start childcare programme.

Mrs Morgan added: “We want Wales to be a great place to grow up and giving children the best start in life is central to this ambition.

“We will continue to review the scheme and the rate paid to providers to ensure parents can continue to benefit from the Childcare Offer and high-quality care and education is provided to children across Wales.”

The announcement has been welcomed by the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY Cymru).

Claire Protheroe, National Manager at PACEY Cymru, said it is “positive” that the views of the sector to have been “reflected on and valued” by the Welsh Government.

She continued: “There have been, and continue to be, challenges for the sector with Covid-19 and the rising costs of living impacting on confidence in relation to ongoing financial viability.

“In particular, PACEY Cymru are concerned about the ongoing decline in registered childminders in Wales and we know the sector is in a fragile place.

“This announcement is a positive step forward in relation to supporting wider financial sustainability of all settings in Wales and recognition of the rising cost of delivery of quality childcare and play services.”