Welsh Government says it will phase in 20 hours of funded childcare a week for children aged nine months to four years

THE FIRST MINISTER and Deputy First Minister have set out plans for what they say will be the most generous childcare offer since devolution.

Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sioned Williams visited Cwm Golau Integrated Children’s Centre in Pentrebach, Merthyr Tydfil, this week (May 20), in their first visit as leaders of the Welsh Government.

The Welsh Government says it aims to deliver 20 hours of funded childcare per week, for 48 weeks a year, for all children aged between nine months and four years.

Ministers say the offer will be phased in over the Senedd term and will be the most generous in the UK during the first four years of a child’s life.

Welsh language childcare provision is also set to be expanded, with the government saying every child should have a fair opportunity to learn and enjoy Cymraeg.

The First Minister said: “Childcare costs in Wales are among the highest in the UK. We want to put money back into families’ pockets and support parents back into work.

“Our ambitious and transformational childcare offer will be the most generous in the history of devolution, and the most generous in the UK, helping boost household incomes, lift families out of poverty and give children the best start in life.”

The Deputy First Minister, whose responsibilities include childcare policy, said many families were struggling with the cost of nursery places and early years care.

She said: “Thousands of parents in Wales are working solely to cover the cost of childcare, and many cannot afford it at all. This needs to change.

“Access to affordable childcare unlocks opportunities and gives parents, especially mothers, the freedom to return to work, education or training. And most importantly, our expanded offer of high-quality childcare will give every child the head-start they need to thrive.”

The Welsh Government says further details on how the scheme will be phased in will be announced during the Senedd term.

Meanwhile, Welsh Labour’s spokesperson for Children, Education, and Lifelong Learning, Lynne Neagle MS said: “We all want to see a fantastic childcare offer for families in Wales. But in government, you must balance priorities and budgets. Wales is right to expect serious government from the Senedd. And serious government means being honest, being clear, and showing the sums.

“Will it be the schools budget that is cut to fund childcare? Will it be healthcare?”

Plaid Cymru have also repeatedly called for ‘reprioritising’ of the child poverty budget that the Welsh Labour Government had designated.

This includes measures such as universal free school meals for primary school students, free or subsidised milk in schools, the baby bundles programme and our Flying Start scheme which provided free childcare to most 3 and 4 year olds.

Lynne Neagle added: “Welsh Labour worked incredibly hard in government to tackle child poverty. I think all in the Senedd would be united in saying we want to see child poverty eradicated. But when Plaid Cymru talks about ‘reprioritising’, this often means cuts. So once again, I’m calling on Plaid to be honest – what is being cut from the child poverty budget? Which families are going to be affected? The people of Wales have a right to know now.”

Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Minister for Education, Families and Constitution, Sam Rowlands MS said: “Improving childcare in Wales is important and can provide the support many parents need, but Plaid cannot roll out their flagship policy without being honest about how it will be funded.

“The Deputy First Minister’s comments in an ITV interview that Plaid have not yet begun planning how this will be fully delivered are extremely concerning.

“The Welsh Conservatives believe that any funding for this policy must not come from cuts to essential services. With Plaid already talking about diverting money away from health into sports and arts, it is deeply concerning that frontline services could be put at risk to fund their uncosted promises.”