Additional £55m Investment for Free Care for More Two-Year-Olds
The Welsh Government has announced it will allocate an additional £55 million this year to provide free childcare for more two-year-old children.
Since last month’s election, Plaid Cymru has faced pressure to clarify how it will finance its proposal to offer free childcare to every child aged between nine months and four years.
The party now states it has secured funding to offer 3,300 additional places for two-year-olds, providing 12.5 hours of care per week.
The government also confirmed that Wrexham has joined three other local authorities in offering free childcare to all two-year-olds in their areas.
Background
Plaid Cymru plans to offer 20 hours of free childcare to every child aged nine months to four years by the next Senedd election in May 2030.
However, the government has not specified when nine-month-old babies will benefit or whether any cuts might be necessary to fund the scheme.
The plan is to implement the policy in stages, starting by expanding the previous government’s provision for two-year-olds—12.5 hours per week in areas participating in the Flying Start programme.
Additionally, Plaid Cymru intends to maintain the 30 hours per week of childcare currently available to families where parents are either working or in training.
In a debate last week, Reform UK questioned the affordability and realism of the policy.
Plaid Cymru has pledged to provide more detailed information by mid-July.
"I am determined to help families across Wales," said Sioned Williams.
BBC Cymru has learned that the additional £55 million will fund 3,300 extra places within the Flying Start arrangements.
A further £10 million will be spent on expanding and improving childcare facilities.
Deputy First Minister Sioned Williams, responsible for implementing the childcare policy, stated:
"This investment demonstrates that we are accelerating our commitments to families in Wales.
Childcare costs in Wales are the highest in the UK, and I am determined to support families across Wales while also promoting child development."
Challenges for Councils in Expanding Free Childcare
BBC Cymru reported on Sunday that councils face significant challenges in expanding free childcare due to resource and staffing shortages.
Research by the BBC found that councils are struggling to meet the previous government's less generous commitment of 12.5 hours per week for every two-year-old.
Until Tuesday, only Swansea, Newport, and Merthyr Tydfil funded childcare through the Flying Start scheme.
Wrexham has now announced it will join these counties.
Flying Start was originally targeted at deprived areas but has gradually expanded to provide more childcare for two-year-olds.
According to Plaid Cymru, the £55 million represents new funding and will be part of the party's first supplementary budget, expected to be published on 23 June.
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