Making the announcement Friday, Wales’ deputy minister for social services Julie Morgan, said, ‘Childcare and playwork services in Wales have faced numerous challenges as a result of Covid-19. I am immensely grateful to everyone who has worked so hard to provide quality childcare and play opportunities for our children and young people and to ensure that families have access to these vital services.’
Of the extra £5.1m, £3.5m will be distributed to local authorities via the Children and Communities Grant and will be available to help settings and services manage the short-term impact of the pandemic. It will be up to each local authority to decide how the money is allocated, according to local priorities.
The rest of the funding will go to local authorities to help them meet their statutory responsibilities in regard to sufficiency of childcare and playwork services, as well as to the six umbrella bodies representing the sector so they can continue to support providers. This includes a total of £1m for Cwlywm, the consortium of the five umbrella bodies for childcare, and £250k for Play Wales.
The funding announcement follows the move by the Welsh Government to extend business rate relief for registered childcare settings for an additional three years, to 31 March 2025.
The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Cymru, a partner of Cwlywm, welcomed the additional funding.
Chief executive Purnima Tanuku said, ‘The sector is vital in enabling children’s learning and allowing families to work, with providers remaining open throughout the pandemic.
‘It is really positive that the Welsh Government has recognised the contribution of the sector and the pressures that providers have faced. We look forward to continuing our support to members and providers in the sector.’