Funded childcare for two-year-olds in Wales expands to 86% of local authorities
The number of local authorities offering Welsh Government funded childcare for all two-year-olds will rise from 3 in May to 19 by the end of November 2026.
The Welsh Government are aiming for all 22 local authorities to be delivering the childcare offer to children from the age of two by the end of March 2027 and are currently on track to do so.
Tim McLachlan, Chief Executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Cymru said:
“Expanding funded childcare will increase access to high quality childcare which research consistently shows is the best way to improve children’s outcomes and life chances. The progress in this expansion would not have been possible without the hard work and commitment of providers like nurseries, who are critical in offering these places.
“In their rush to expand this offer across the country, the Welsh Government must ensure it works for both parents and providers. We know that nurseries have been struggling to deliver the places on the current funding rates. In our recent survey, 89% told us that the Government rates don’t even cover their costs.
“The cost of living has hit nurseries hard, so they are already struggling with the existing offer before any expansion is rolled out. If the Welsh Government, as the largest purchaser of childcare, is not paying the going rate then it is parents or providers who end up paying the shortfall.
“In our event with nursery members yesterday, they told us that there needs to be flexibility in delivery. The current system of differences between the local authorities puts additional administrative burdens on providers. We all want the system streamlined with funding following the child not the council, ensuring providers remain sustainable.
“We would also ask for support around workforce and staff training. This is necessary to boost the quality of provision that makes a real difference for their children, but nurseries need the resources and time to do this.”
- Wales
- childcare
- funding
- Wales
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