Welsh Government Allocates Extra £55m for Two-Year-Old Childcare

An extra £55m will be spent this year to roll out childcare to more two-year-olds, the Welsh government says.

Plaid Cymru has come under pressure since May's election to spell out how it will afford and roll out its flagship policy for babies from nine months to four-years-old.

But now it says it has found cash to provide an extra 3,300 places for two-year-olds, providing 12.5 hours of childcare a week.

Plaid says it was new funding and will be part of its first supplementary budget, expected to be published on 23 June.

Meanwhile, the administration says Wrexham has joined three other authorities in providing childcare to all two-year-olds in its area.

Plaid plans to roll out its universal childcare offer, providing 20 hours a week, before the next Senedd election, which is scheduled for May 2030.

The government, led by First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, has not said exactly when babies aged nine months will benefit, or what could be cut to afford the plan.

It plans to phase the scheme in by first expanding the previous government's provision for two-year-olds, which amounts to 12.5 hours a week in Flying Start areas.

Plaid also wants to maintain the existing 30 hours a week for families where parents are in work or training.

In a debate last week, Reform UK said it was not clear if the Plaid policy was affordable or realistic. Plaid said it would provide more detail before the Senedd recess in July.

BBC Wales was told that the £55m extra will fund 3,300 places within the Flying Start arrangements.

A further £10m would also be spent on enhancing and expanding childcare settings.

Deputy First Minister Sioned Williams, who is responsible for implementing the childcare policy, said on Tuesday: "This investment shows we are accelerating our commitments to the families of Wales.

"Childcare costs in Wales are the highest in the UK and I am determined to help families all over Wales, while also supporting children's development."

BBC Wales reported on Sunday that councils were facing serious challenges in expanding free childcare because of a lack of resources and staff.

Research for Politics Wales found councils were struggling to deliver the previous Labour government's more limited commitment of 12.5 hours a week to all two-year-olds.

Until Tuesday only Swansea, Merthyr Tydfil and Newport were funding childcare under Flying Start for all two-year-olds in their area.