All of the 22 local authorities in Wales are now on track to offer 12.5 hours a week of care funded by the Welsh Government to every two-year-old by the end of this financial year, which marks a significant milestone in the Welsh Government’s journey towards offering care to every child between the ages of nine months and four.
Local authorities have indicated that, as a result of the additional funding allocated this year, they will be able to complete the work of introducing the first phase of the expansion programme, providing 12.5 hours of funded care per week to every two-year-old across Wales.
This means that the Welsh Government will establish the foundation of a care system for all children before the end of their first year, and funding care for all two-year-olds is a significant first step.
Parents can find out more about the Welsh Government funded childcare currently available to them by contacting their local Family Information Service.
The Welsh Government’s childcare expansion measures will focus on:
- Current stage: complete the rollout of 12.5 hours of funded care for all two-year-olds across Wales
- Next steps:
- increase the support for two-year-olds to 20 hours a week for 48 weeks, and work with childcare providers to expand the extended offer to all three- and four-year-olds
- build on these proposals before extending the support to children aged between nine months and two years.
At the start of this Parliamentary term in May, only three local authorities were providing care funded by the Welsh Government for every two-year-old. However, following positive discussions, all local authorities are now expected to present it in full by the end of the financial year.
The expansion will help more families access affordable childcare, support parents and carers to work or train, and ensure more children benefit from high quality early years experiences.
Deputy First Minister Sioned Williams said:
“Childcare support for families is one of the key methods we have to tackle poverty, gender inequality, support our economy and improve educational outcomes.
“This is excellent news for all families and proves the commitment of the local authorities in driving this expansion forward.
“A few months ago, only three local authorities were offering Welsh Government funded childcare for every two-year-old child. The fact that all 22 are now on track to do so by the end of this financial year shows the amazing progress that is being made as a result of our decision to make childcare more affordable.
“Access to high quality early years education and care can have a profound impact on a child’s development and life chances, while providing practical support for parents during the important first years of family life.”
