The Welsh Government has announced it is launching a Childcare Grant to facilitate the creation of additional flexible childcare places throughout Wales. The aim of the grant is to help increase the number of childcare places available to people across the country.
Finding good quality, flexible childcare can be stressful, and in Wales this has been compounded by a lack of places available for working parents. In their annual childcare survey, the Family and Childcare Trust* found that only 50% of councils in Wales reported having enough childcare places for working parents.
The Welsh Government is trying to address these issues and meet its pledge to allow access to 30 hours of free childcare per week for working parents with children aged three or four years. In 2018 the Welsh Government announced that it was scrapping business rates for day nurseries after claims that the industry was struggling to survive. The tax cut could then be used by these businesses to help tackle the shortage of places.
The latest announcement of a grant is another measure aimed at improving the situation for working families. There are two grants being made available, one to help cover the start up costs associated with starting a childminding business and the other is to help to create new jobs in the sector to meet demand.
To apply, applicants must:
• register with Business Wales
• be registered with Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) at the point of Grant payment
• be able to demonstrate that the funding will help contribute to increasing the number of flexible childcare places
This is welcome news to both the industry and parents. These grants could increase availability as well as flexibility. With a range of options open for expansion as well as establishment of childcare providers, infrastructure does not have to be the burden it was once considered. At Portable Offices we are committed to providing excellent quality, flexible spaces that are ideal for a childcare setting.
We have worked closely with schools and nurseries across Wales and the UK to provide safe, warm and personalised spaces that are fully equipped for purpose. Gone are the days of dreary, one size fits all portable buildings, today’s modern units are thoughtfully designed to meet your needs and the space you have available. We have a huge range of options available and if we don’t currently have what you need, just tell us and we will endeavour to create it for you. All of our spaces are available for either short- or long-term hire, or for permanent purchase if you would like. This gives our customers a range of affordable options to help them expand or establish their childcare business.