CRITICAL workers in Carmarthenshire will be able to get free childcare for 0-3 year-olds during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Welsh Government is launching a coronavirus childcare assistance scheme and will be providing funding to all local authorities in Wales to support the cost of childcare for parents whose jobs are critical to Wales’ response to COVID-19.
Children who are considered vulnerable will also be included in the scheme.
To make this funding possible, the Welsh Government has suspended the Childcare Offer for Wales with immediate effect, for a period of three months. This means applications are now closed and all children who were due start on the Childcare Offer this April will be cancelled until further notice.
The Welsh Government will however honour its commitment to continue to pay childcare providers for the hours of childcare already booked under the childcare offer for three months, with a review to be undertaken at the end of that period.
Executive Board Member for Education and Children’s Services Cllr Glynog Davies said: “It is vitally important that we provide this support for our critical workers, who are doing all they can to help in the fight against coronavirus.
“It is so important that they do not have to worry about childcare at this time, when they are working hard on the frontline in extraordinary and difficult circumstances.
“I also want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all our childcare providers for the fantastic job they are doing in supporting our response to the coronavirus crisis.
“Childcare providers have a critical role to play to help us keep essential services running and I want to thank all the staff for the commitment and professionalism they have shown during what is an extremely challenging time for everyone.
The council will manage all bookings for childcare for 0-3 year-olds for critical workers and vulnerable children. More information on this will be published as soon as possible. Please visit our website for information on childcare provision for critical workers during the coronavirus pandemic. To contact the Family Information Service please email ChildrenInfo@Carmarthenshire.gov.uk
More Stories
Conservatives’ Lack of Action on Obscene Energy Profits “Indefensible” says Welsh Lib Dems
New Audit Office Report on Poverty in Wales supports Plaid Cymru’s calls
Successful Operation targeting anti-social driving across Newport and Monmouthshire