Free childcare for children aged three and four whose parents work is being re-introduced in Wales following a suspension during the coronavirus lockdown.
The scheme, which provides up to 30 hours of early education and funded care per week for 48 weeks of the year to eligible families, has been suspended to fresh entrants since April 1 after the Welsh Government diverted funding to childcare needs for key workers and vulnerable youngsters.
Parents whose children would have been able to take advantage of the scheme during the summer term will now be able to apply from this month while anyone whose child will become eligible in the autumn can apply from next month.
Details on precise timings and how to apply will be made available by individual local authorities on their websites.
Later this week updated guidance will be published for childcare settings on how they can operate safely, taking into account the First Minister’s announcement on July 31 that children under 11 do not need to socially distance.
Deputy minister for health and social services Julie Morgan said: “Many families will have suffered financial hardship as a result of Covid-19. Some workers will have been hit harder than others and we know that for many women childcare has been a real barrier in terms of their capacity to work. Bringing the [childcare] offer back will not only help parents, but it is crucial for providers too in supporting their businesses to recover after what has been a period of great uncertainty and anxiety for many.”
