Swansea Council has announced that seven communities in Swansea have been chosen for a free childcare trial, with families set to benefit from 30 hours a week of free early years education and childcare, under a pilot programme that could be extended city-wide.
The Welsh government plans to offer the provision for three- and four-year-olds for 48 weeks of the year, including school holidays – testing of the offer will commence from September 2017.
Swansea Council is one of six local authorities in Wales to have been asked to run a limited trial of the scheme, to iron out any issues before it is rolled out nationally. The council is testing different models of provision to see what works well and what is less effective.
Some of the areas suggested have schools that already provide after-school and holiday childcare on site – while others have lower in-school provision, but higher levels of external providers.
Swansea Council says that provision for both English and Welsh speakers and youngsters with disabilities will also being taken into account.
A suggested list of areas where the pilot could be tested from September 2017 will now go before Swansea Council's cabinet on Thursday – it will include Dunvant, Penclawdd, Llangyfelach, West Cross, Morriston, Pontarddulais and Gorseinon.
If take-up falls short of the target, then a reserve list of Gowerton, Penllergaer and Llansamlet has been compiled.
Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Services for Children and Young People, Councillor Christine Richards said:
“It is very exciting that Swansea has been chosen as one of the six pilot areas in Wales, as this initiative has the potential to change the lives of many families for the better.
”One of the biggest barriers to work for many parents or carers is the cost or the availability of childcare – and this pilot project will help address those issues. There is a lot still to be done to ensure we are in a position to start the pilot in September – and we will be working closely with key partners, including schools and childcare providers from the target areas and beyond, during the coming months.
”We will also be engaging with parents and carers to make sure they have an opportunity to receive the full benefits of this flagship programme. By testing the offer in the areas identified, it will allow us to assist the Welsh government in discovering what works and what doesn't.
”These pilot programmes will provide experience and evidence to deliver the scheme for all working parents in Swansea – and, indeed, across Wales.”
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