Welsh
Assembly Government
Director - Chris Burdett
Children Strategy Division
Crown Buildings
Cathay’s Park
Cardiff
CF10 5NQ
T: 02920 823936
F: 02920 826912
The Welsh Assembly Government is responsible for policy, funding and (through the Care Standards Inspectorate) regulation of childcare in Wales. It published its childcare strategy "Childcare is for Children" on 29 November 2005. The strategy recognises that providing children with the best possible start is vital. Childcare matters, not just for families, but also for our economy. The Assembly Government aims to make it affordable and accessible for everyone in Wales.
The Strategy recognises that effective business management is vital to the sustainability of childcare settings. The national childcare organisations have an important role to play here, as well as local children’s information services.
A high quality workforce is essential in ensuring the provision of high quality childcare. The Assembly Government is consulting separately on a new initiative, Flying Start, which is firmly based on international and UK evidence on how best to support children in their earliest years, especially those facing poverty. The Welsh Assembly Government will make available part of the Flying Start funding to support workforce development, and will also work with the new Sector Skills Council for Care and Development to create a Workforce Development Plan for Wales.
In some areas of Wales, Welsh medium childcare is not always available. A commitment has been made, in the Strategy, to establish baselines and monitor progress in the provision of Welsh language and bilingual childcare settings, in all childcare sectors.
Cymorth – the Children and Youth Support Fund, is the main Assembly Government source of financial support for childcare places. Guidance specifies that each local authority needs to ring-fence a minimum level of funding from Cymorth for childcare-related schemes. Support for users is provided by the childcare element of Working Tax Credit, and the Assembly Government will be working with all local Children’s Information Services, childcare providers and primary health contacts to ensure that they have accessible promotional material to provide to parents regarding the Working Tax Credit.
It is recognised within the Strategy that; ‘active play is one of the best opportunities for children to have exercise, and is encouraged in good quality childcare.’ The National Service Framework (NSF) for Children, Young People and Maternity Services sets standards for inclusive play, and the Assembly Government will publish on its website exemplar practice of inclusive childcare and play.
Genesis Wales is the Assembly Government’s unique strategic programme using European funds for childcare, delivered by local authorities in both Objective 1 and Objective 3 areas. The Assembly has secured approximately £10.1 million of ESF under Objective 1 and £2.5 million under Objective 3. Both these awards are funded over 3 years.
The Welsh Assembly Government has made available £100,000 in match funding for CWLWM. This will be used to support the work of the University of Gloucestershire, which is facilitating the CWLWM project, and providing essential management support.
For further information about the Welsh Assembly Government click here to visit their website.
