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Wales plans to make free childcare for two-year-olds universal

The Welsh Government has committed to expanding free childcare to all two-year-olds within the next three years.
The Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru plan to expand free childcare to all two-year-olds PHOTO Adobe Stock
The Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru plan to expand free childcare to all two-year-olds PHOTO Adobe Stock

Within its Co-operative Agreement 2021, published today, the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru outline how they plan to overcome current challenges faced by the country through ‘radical change and reform’.

On childcare, the pair outline plans to expand free childcare to all two-year-olds and focus on providing and strengthening Welsh-medium settings.

Currently, only disadvantaged two-year-olds in Wales can claim 12.5 hours a week of free childcare under the country’s Flying Start scheme.

The first minister Mark Drakeford and leader of Plaid Cymru Adam Price state, ‘We will work together over the coming three years on the defined policy commitments listed in this document– policies in which we have common interests to implement progressive solutions – from ensuring no child goes hungry to ending homelessness. From working together to explore the long-term future of social care to meeting our shared commitment of a million Welsh speakers by 2050.'

National Day Nurseries Association Cymru welcomed the move, but warned that the policy must be ‘fully costed to be deliverable’.

Chief executive Purnima Tanuku explained, ‘The availability of high-quality childcare and early education in Wales is absolutely crucial for both working families and children’s outcomes. This pandemic has shown just how crucial early learning and childcare is to the national infrastructure.

‘Nurseries and childcare settings have operated throughout the pandemic but have faced challenges with absences, staffing, recruitment and increased cleaning measures. 

‘Government funding rates need to keep pace with these increasing costs, including the national minimum and living wages as well. Without the right funding, nurseries will become unsustainable and won’t be there to support families or deliver the high-quality care and education that children need.'