From September 2018, families in Ceredigion will be among those in Wales able to claim 30 hours of Government funded early education and childcare for up to 48 weeks of the year as part of the new Childcare Offer for Wales.
The Offer will consist of a combination of existing early education provided by the Foundation Phase which is available to all three and four-year-olds and the additional funded childcare for eligible families.
An online registration form for parents who wish to apply for the childcare offer is currently being developed. This will be ready by the end of June and open to applications. Information will be available on the Council’s website in due course.
Childcare providers are being informed of what they need to do to be able to deliver the childcare offer in Ceredigion. An on-line registration form for childcare providers is being completed which will enable them to register with the Council as suppliers of the Childcare Offer.
Councillor Catrin Miles, the Cabinet member responsible for Learning Services said, “The roll-out of the Childcare Offer in Ceredigion is fantastic news for working parents. The cost of childcare is a burden for families especially in Ceredigion where wages are lower compared to other parts of the country. The benefit of having up to 20 hours of free childcare on top of the current Foundation Phase element will be of a great help. The Council is working proactively to put in place the arrangements necessary to provide the Childcare Offer.”
Welsh Government Minister for Children, Older People and Social Care, Huw Irranca-Davies said, “Our ground-breaking childcare offer is making a real difference to parents right across Wales, reducing the strain on family income and helping ensure childcare is not a barrier to them taking up employment or increasing their hours. I’m delighted to confirm the offer is being rolled out in Ceredigion, as we continue the work to roll out the offer across the entire country by September 2020.”
For more information, contact Clic Ceredigion on 01545 570881 or e-mail clic@ceredigion.gov.uk.
19/06/2018