Free childcare for all two-year-olds in Wales must be 'fully costed'

The Welsh Government has said it will offer free childcare to all two-year-olds within the next three years and plans to boost Welsh-medium childcare.

First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford. Credit: Composed Pix / Shutterstock

Currently, only disadvantaged two-year-olds in Wales can claim 12.5 hours a week of free childcare under the country’s Flying Start scheme but the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru has unveiled a plan to expand its ‘free childcare’ offering to all two-year-olds.

In its Co-operative Agreement made with political party Plaid Cymru, the government will work with Plaid Cymru on a wide range of issues over the next three years.

The government has said it plans to offer free school meals to all primary school children in Wales and will ‘focus on providing and strengthening Welsh-medium childcare’.

Wales’ first minister Mark Drakeford and Adam Price, the leader of Plaid Cymru stated in their Co-operative Agreement (published this week): ‘We will work together over the coming three years on the defined policy commitments listed in this document…from ensuring no child goes hungry to ending homelessness.

‘From working together to explore the long-term future of social care to meeting our shared commitment of a million Welsh speakers by 2050.'

Exactly how much the plans will cost and how they’ll be paid for has not yet been revealed.

The Welsh Government has stated: "Funding has been put in place as part of the Co-operation Agreement and will be reflected in the draft budget, when it is published in December". Plaid Cymru members will vote on the agreement on 27 November.

Political promises must be 'fully costed'

The National Day Nurseries Association Cymru has warned there must be enough funding, recruitment and pay for the early years sector and the Welsh government’s ‘free childcare’ offer for all two-year-olds must be “fully costed”.

Purnima Tanuku chief executive of the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) said: “We know that access to high quality early education and care can make a huge difference to children’s life chances, so it is welcome to see that childcare remains a priority in this agreement. However, we need to make sure that the system is working for everyone.

“Nurseries and childcare settings have operated throughout the pandemic but have faced challenges with absences, staffing, recruitment and increased cleaning measures.

“Government funding rates need to keep pace with these increasing costs, including the national minimum and living wages as well.

“Any political promises to increase offers to parents must be fully costed to be deliverable. Without the right funding, nurseries will become unsustainable and won’t be there to support families or deliver the high quality care and education that children need.”