Nurseries in Wales are warning that rising costs and underfunded childcare places are putting providers under severe pressure

NDNA CYMRU has launched its manifesto, The Best Start for Children in Wales, calling on the next Welsh Government to make early childhood play, learning and care a priority for every family and community.

The organisation says early findings from its nursery survey show 89% of day nurseries in Wales make a loss on sessional places, while 79% say the full day rate does not cover their costs.

Staffing bills have risen by an average of 10.5%, while nurseries have increased fees to parents by an average of 7.5%, meaning many providers are absorbing part of the extra cost themselves.

One nursery told NDNA: “We can’t increase prices as parents are struggling to pay their bill already.”

NDNA Cymru says the pressure is forcing some nurseries to spend less on resources, reduce staff hours and cut training, with one respondent saying they had been forced to lay off three members of staff.

The manifesto sets out four priorities for the next Welsh Government. These include a national review of funded childcare, funding rates that reflect the real cost of delivery, proper support for Additional Learning Needs, protection for existing providers before new capital projects are approved, and a fully funded workforce strategy.

Tim McLachlan, Chief Executive of NDNA Cymru said: “The next Welsh Government has the opportunity to do things better. We are calling on all parties to put children at the heart of any future policy, making sure it is properly funded and delivered consistently in communities across Wales.

“Our survey of day nurseries shows that they face unique funding pressures. It cannot be good for children, families or the economy to have nurseries fighting just to survive when we want to see them thrive.

“Parents rightly want more support to make childcare more affordable. But to be fair to everyone and make sure that policies can be delivered, political parties must make sure any promise they make is fully funded.”

NDNA Cymru said 92% of nurseries responding to its survey were either operating at a loss or only breaking even.

The survey also found that the new £6.67 hourly funding rate for three and four-year-olds does not cover costs for many providers. For full day care, the average shortfall was £1.56 per hour per child, rising to £2.05 for sessional care.

One nursery said: “In the 39 years I have been operating successfully and at a very high level of quality, this is the most challenging and disheartening time for my business in relation to financial sustainability.”

Another said: “Funding and fees are a constant worry alongside staff recruitment and retention; childcare is a lot more challenging and increases each year make it harder and harder.”

NDNA Cymru said it wants a fair and consistent childcare system across Wales, backed by national guidance, proper investment in staff, and adequate ALN funding so children’s needs can be met.

CEREDIGION WASPI campaigners have written to local election candidates urging them to publicly back calls for compensation for women affected by changes to the State Pension age.

The group says 6,900 women in Ceredigion could be affected, with compensation worth up to £2,950 each under recommendations made by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

That would amount to a potential total of £20,355,000 across the county.

WASPI, which stands for Women Against State Pension Inequality, represents women born in the 1950s who were affected by changes to the State Pension age.

The campaign accepts the equalisation of pension ages, but argues that many women were not properly informed of the changes and were left with little time to make alternative retirement plans.

In a letter to candidates, Ceredigion WASPI campaigners ask “one simple question”: whether they will stand with local women in their fight for fair compensation.

The letter says: “This decision has caused enormous anger and disappointment to the 6,900 women in Ceredigion who have spent years campaigning for justice.

“With crucial elections approaching this May, voters in our communities will be looking closely at where their candidate stands on this issue.”

The group is asking candidates to publicly support compensation, write to their local MP calling on the Government to think again, and, if elected as councillors, table a council motion backing the campaign.

The calls come after lawyers representing WASPI wrote to Government lawyers earlier this month alleging “multiple legal errors” in the Department for Work and Pensions’ stance on compensation.

Campaigners say the move could lead to a second judicial review.

In spring 2024, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman found the Department for Work and Pensions guilty of maladministration over how changes to women’s State Pension age were communicated.

WASPI says some of the worst-affected women were given just 12 months’ notice of a six-year increase to their retirement age.

Angela Madden, chair of the WASPI campaign, said: “The upcoming May elections are a critical moment for WASPI women across the country.

“Women in Ceredigion, like WASPI women everywhere, simply want to know that their elected representatives will fight for them.

“The Government should act urgently to end this historic injustice. For many of us, time is running out.”

WASPI was founded in 2015 and continues to campaign for women born between April 6, 1950 and April 5, 1960 who were affected by the changes.

DOGS have been removed from a Milford Haven property following concerns raised by neighbours.

The Herald was contacted on Wednesday (Apr 29) by a resident who claimed two dogs had been left inside a property in the Precelly Place area for several weeks.

The resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said neighbours had become increasingly distressed and had already contacted the RSPCA, the dog warden and police.

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed that police and local authority services were “liaising and dealing with this matter”.

A council spokesperson added: “Concerned residents are urged to allow the relevant authorities to respond.”

The council later said it understood police had attended and that “required follow up” was in place.

Footage seen by The Herald shows police removing at least one small dog from the property, while a small crowd of nearby residents gathered outside watching events unfold.

The incident was also live streamed on Facebook by a local resident, attracting several hundred viewers as concerns about the animals spread through the community.

The Herald understands that dogs were removed from the property on Wednesday night, although Dyfed-Powys Police has yet to formally confirm the details.

The RSPCA said it was unable to comment on specific cases.

A spokesperson said: “Unfortunately we are unable to discuss complaints about specific people and what action may have been taken. We understand how frustrating that is for animal lovers but releasing information could prejudice a future prosecution or could lead to us being fined.

“We are so grateful to people who report suspected animal suffering to us and we would like to reassure people we will always look into and, if necessary, investigate any complaints made to us about animal welfare.”

Anyone concerned about the welfare of an animal is urged to contact the RSPCA, the local authority dog control service, or police if there is an immediate risk.