May 20, 2026 - 199 views
The Welsh Government has unveiled ambitious plans to expand funded childcare across Wales, promising what it says will become the most generous childcare offer anywhere in the UK.
Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sioned Williams visited Cwm Golau Integrated Children’s Centre in Pentrebach, Merthyr Tydfil, earlier today to highlight the plans during their first official visit together as leaders of the Welsh Government.
Under the proposals, the Welsh Government aims to phase in 20 hours of funded childcare per week, for 48 weeks of the year, for all children aged between nine months and four years old during the current Senedd term.
The plans will also include an expansion of Welsh-language childcare provision, with ministers saying the move will help give every child the opportunity to learn and enjoy the Welsh language from an early age.
Speaking during the visit, the First Minister said rising childcare costs were placing increasing pressure on families across Wales.
He said: “Childcare costs in Wales are among the highest in the UK. We want to put money back into families’ pockets and support parents back into work.
“Our ambitious and transformational childcare offer will be the most generous in the history of devolution, and the most generous in the UK, helping boost household incomes, lift families out of poverty and give children the best start in life.”
The Deputy First Minister said many parents were struggling with the financial burden of childcare, with some effectively working simply to cover the cost.
She said: “Thousands of parents in Wales are working solely to cover the cost of childcare, and many cannot afford it at all. This needs to change.
“Access to affordable childcare unlocks opportunities and gives parents, especially mothers, the freedom to return to work, education or training.
“And most importantly, our expanded offer of high-quality childcare will give every child the head-start they need to thrive.”
The Welsh Government says the expanded childcare programme is designed not only to ease financial pressure on households, but also to tackle child poverty, support economic growth and improve long-term outcomes for children across Wales.
