The Welsh Government has announced funding for the Childcare Offer for Wales, with payments set to continue to be paid to local authorities and childcare settings who currently receive payments for children in their care, even where services are disrupted.
Childcare settings are not being required to close, and will remain open for the time being. However Welsh Ministers have agreed that where a setting is closed on medical advice, or if children are not able to attend due to Covid-19, funding will still be made available.
Funding will also continue where staffing numbers fall to a level that the setting is no longer safe to operate.
Welsh Ministers also expect local authorities to maintain payments for childcare provided under Flying Start and for the provision of early education.
The Childcare Offer for Wales provides 30 hours a week of government-funded early education (FPN) and childcare for eligible working parents of 3 to 4 year olds, for up to 48 weeks of the year. This is available throughout Wales.
Announcing the decision, Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, Julie Morgan, said:
“I know this is a difficult time for our dedicated Childcare Offer and Flying Start childcare providers, I want to ensure that we limit the effect of coronavirus as much as possible to them. This is why the Welsh Government will continue to pay the Childcare Offer for Wales and for Flying Start childcare provision.”
Childcare settings may also be eligible for assistance under the wider packages of support for businesses being put in place across Wales and the UK.
