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Thousands of children benefitting from Childcare Offer

Published: 28/09/2018

Welsh Government’s childcare offer is being rolled-out across Wales, and is available in at least some areas in half of Wales’ 22 local authorities. It will be available across the country by 2020.

Flintshire is already delivering the Welsh Government funded childcare offer throughout its entire authority.

In addition, Flintshire is currently working with Wrexham to deliver the offer in some wards, with a view to rolling out full authority by January 2019. Flintshire is also working with Denbighshire and is planning on beginning roll-out from January 2019.

The aim of the 30 hour childcare offer is to mitigate against the effects of poverty and reduce inequalities. The offer is designed to be inclusive and so children with Special Educational Needs (SEN)/Additional Learning Needs (ALN) will be supported to access their place.

Government funding starts for all eligible parents from the term after their child’s third birthday and continues until the September following their fourth birthday.  Parents who work at least 16 hours or more per week, have a child between 3 and 4 years and live in Flintshire are eligible to apply.

Even though parents may not qualify for the Offer based on their employment status, they may still qualify for the Offer under various employment status exemptions.   As Flintshire enters the 2nd year of the Offer, over 1200 families have been supported and over 200 childcare providers are registered.  Further information is available from the Family Information Service Flintshire.

Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Services, Councillor Christine Jones, said:

“I’m delighted that we have rolled out this childcare offer county-wide.  It’s credit to the outstanding work done by our childcare team that we are also able to assist our neighbouring counties to roll the offer out in their areas. This will ensure that the scheme continues to be a success. We will continue to publicise and promote the offer in a variety of ways including presentations to schools, town and community councils and childcare providers.”