In 2017 the Welsh Government (WG) pledged to offer 30
hours a week of government-funded early education and childcare to eligible
working parents of three and four year olds, for 48 weeks of the year by September
2020.
Children will be eligible to access the offer from the
beginning of the term following their third birthday until the September
following their fourth birthday.
The new offer comes into effect in
Denbighshire on Monday, January 7th, 2019.
Eligible children will be entitled to up to 20 free
hours of childcare during term time, on top of the 10 hours already provided by
the Foundation Phase.
During the school holidays, when there is no early
education, the offer will provide 30 hours a week of childcare for up to nine
weeks. Parents are able to choose any registered childcare setting that suits
their personal and family circumstance, whether inside or outside of county, in
agreement with the provider and the local authority.
Those not currently accessing the 10 hours a week free
childcare provided by the Foundation Phase will be able to apply for 20 hours
free childcare, as part of the scheme.
To be eligible for free childcare, parents/ guardians
must meet a set of criteria: their child must be aged 3 or 4;
parents/ guardians work and earn the equivalent of at least 16 hours at
national living wage or national minimum wage, or are in receipt of specific
caring benefits and they must live in Denbighshire.
Councillor Huw Hilditch – Roberts, Cabinet Lead Member
for Education, Children, Young People and the Welsh Language, said: “We have
worked tirelessly with the Welsh Government over recent months to bring the
implementation date forward and we are delighted to be able to share this very
positive news.
“The aim of the Childcare Offer is to allow eligible
parents to have more employment choices, increase their disposable income to
help counteract poverty for those in low paid jobs and ensure that quality
early education and childcare is provided to promote child development and
prepare them for early education.
“Our colleagues in education have worked hard to get
this scheme available in Denbighshire at the earliest opportunity and we would
urge parents and guardians to go online and check whether they are eligible."
* All of the information about the childcare offer can
be found at: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/childcare
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