July 31, 2026 - 188 views
Families across Wales are set to benefit from a major expansion of childcare support, with all 22 local authorities now on track to offer Welsh Government-funded childcare to every two-year-old by the end of March 2027.
The milestone marks a significant step towards the Welsh Government’s ambition of creating a universal childcare offer for children aged from nine months to four years old.
Local authorities have confirmed that, with additional funding provided this year, they expect to complete the first phase of the expansion programme, providing 12.5 hours a week of funded childcare for all two-year-olds across Wales.
The announcement means the Welsh Government expects to establish the foundations of a universal childcare system within the first year of the current Senedd term, with every two-year-old able to access funded childcare as the first stage of a wider rollout.
At the start of the Senedd term in May, only three local authorities were offering Welsh Government-funded childcare to all two-year-olds. Following discussions with councils, every authority is now expected to reach full rollout by the end of the financial year.
The expansion is designed to help families access more affordable childcare, support parents and carers to return to work or training, and ensure more children benefit from high-quality early years education and experiences.
Future phases of the programme will include increasing support for two-year-olds to 20 funded hours a week for 48 weeks, working with childcare providers to extend the offer to all three and four-year-olds, and eventually expanding support to children aged between nine months and two years.
Deputy First Minister Sioned Williams said childcare support is an important way to tackle poverty, support the economy, address gender inequality and improve educational outcomes for children.
She said the progress made in recent months showed the commitment of local authorities to making childcare more affordable and accessible for families.
Parents wanting to find out more about the Welsh Government-funded childcare available in their area can contact their local Family Information Service.
The Welsh Government says access to high-quality early years care can have a lasting impact on children’s development and future opportunities, while providing practical support for families during the important early years of childhood.
