Welsh Government announces the launch of a consultation on proposals to change elements of the National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare.
The Welsh Government is committed to supporting children in Wales to have the best start in life and ensure they can access high-quality childcare and play activities that meet their needs and those of their families.
The National Minimum Standards (NMS) for regulated childcare for children up to the age of 12 isdesigned to assist childcare providers to meet the regulations that are relevant to the type of service they provide.
The consultation on proposed changes to the NMS will help to support the delivery of high quality, accessible childcare and play services for children and families.
Some of the main changes being considered in the consultation are:
- Updating the structure and layout of the NMS to a HTML version with links to relevant regulations and best practice guidance
- Updates to the High-quality provision chapter to further align Early Childhood Play, Learning and Care (ECPLC) principles within the standards
- Introducing a proportionate approach to the NMS requirements of qualified staff and first aid training for Open Access Playwork services, in light of recommendations from the Ministerial Review of Play.
- Updating NMS Standard 12 relating to Medication and the introduction of an additional annex with guidance on administering Liquid Paracetamol
- Clarification on effective deployment of staff across the setting
- Introducing some flexibility on ratios for childminders, and allowing childminders to have one additional child under 5 years but not increase the maximum number
The benefits of undertaking this review and consultation allow Welsh Government to consider the NMS critically with a wide audience, ensuring that standards are continuously improved, and are fit for purpose in supporting the childcare and play sector to deliver quality services. Read more about how the consultation may affect you and share your views.
https://www.gov.wales/national-minimum-standards-nms-regulated-childcare-proposed-changes-2025
Consultation closes on 10 December 2025.
Llywodraeth Cymru yn cyhoeddi lansio ymgynghoriad ar gynigion i newid elfennau o’r Safonau Gofynnol Cenedlaethol ar gyfer Gofal Plant a Reoleiddir.
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymrwymo i gefnogi plant yng Nghymru i gael y dechrau gorau mewn bywyd, a sicrhau bod gofal plant a gweithgareddau chwarae o ansawdd uchel ar gael iddynt, sy’n diwallu eu hanghenion nhw ac anghenion eu teuluoedd.
Nod y Safonau Gofynnol Cenedlaethol (y Safonau) ar gyfer gofal plant a reoleiddir i blant hyd at 12 oed yw helpu darparwyr gofal plant i fodloni’r rheoliadau sy’n berthnasol i’r math o wasanaeth y maent yn ei ddarparu.
Bydd yr ymgynghoriad ar newidiadau arfaethedig i’r Safonau yn helpu i gefnogi darpariaeth gwasanaethau gofal plant a chwarae hygyrch o ansawdd uchel i blant a theuluoedd.
Dyma rai o’r prif newidiadau sy’n cael eu hystyried yn yr ymgynghoriad:
- Diweddaru strwythur a fformat y Safonau i fersiwn HTML, â dolenni i’r rheoliadau perthnasol a chanllawiau arfer gorau
- Diweddaru’r bennod ar ddarpariaeth o ansawdd uchel i alinio egwyddorion Chwarae, Dysgu a Gofal Plentyndod Cynnar ymhellach o fewn y safonau
- Cyflwyno dull cymesur o weithredu’r Safonau o ran staff cymwysedig a hyfforddiant cymorth cyntaf ar gyfer gwasanaethau Gwaith Chwarae Mynediad Agored, yng ngoleuni argymhellion yr Adolygiad Gweinidogol o Gyfleoedd Chwarae
- Diweddaru Safon 12 sy’n ymwneud â Meddyginiaeth a chyflwyno atodiad ychwanegol yn rhoi canllawiau ar weinyddu Parasetamol Hylifol
- Rhoi eglurder ar ddefnyddio staff yn effeithiol ar draws y lleoliad
- Cyflwyno rhywfaint o hyblygrwydd o ran y cymarebau ar gyfer gwarchodwyr plant, a chaniatáu i warchodwyr plant gael un plentyn ychwanegol o dan 5 oed ond heb gynyddu’r uchafswm nifer
Mae cynnal yr adolygiad a’r ymgynghoriad hwn yn caniatáu i Lywodraeth Cymru ystyried y Safonau yn feirniadol gyda chynulleidfa eang, gan sicrhau bod y safonau yn cael eu gwella’n barhaus, a’u bod yn addas i’w diben wrth gefnogi’r sector gofal plant a chwarae i ddarparu gwasanaethau o ansawdd. Darllenwch fwy am sut y gallai’r ymgynghoriad effeithio arnoch chi, a rhannwch eich barn.
Bydd yr ymgynghoriad yn cau ar 10 Rhagfyr 2025.