Explore Play Wales
The Deputy First Minister and Minister for Social Justice and Equality, Sioned Williams, has outlined her priorities for tackling child poverty and for progressing the childcare offer.
In her first oral statement to the Senedd, the Deputy First Minister announced the establishment of the Expansion of Childcare Expert Steering Group, which will inform the rollout of the scheme. The group’s central mission will be to establish the phased delivery of the childcare offer, with workforce planning, improving access and streamlining application as clear priorities.
The Deputy First Minister said:
‘This Expert Group will be key to delivering the transformational change … Work is underway with local authorities to accelerate the rollout of funded childcare, including driving the delivery of 12.5 hours for all two-year olds while planning and testing for the next phases of expansion which will ultimately be 20 hours of funded childcare per week for all children aged 9 months to 4 years.’
Responding to the announcement, Play Wales said:
‘Play Wales welcomes recent Welsh Government announcements of the expansion of childcare offer across Wales for all children up to the age of four. As the government describes it is a “transformational” offer, the expansion has the potential to respond to its aim to reduce poverty and build fairer and safer communities.
Providing high quality childcare will support more babies, toddlers and young children to have enhanced opportunities to play. Playing provides instant enjoyment for children. Playing promotes well-established developmental outcomes for learning, physical growth and social skills, such as managing emotions, building self-confidence and resilience.
Provision for play should be central to this programme that aims to support children and families’ health and wellbeing. We urge the newly formed steering group to ensure that the expansion programme recognises the need for play-informed practitioners who understand the importance of play and how to facilitate it in childcare settings.’