(Title Image: via Senedd TV)

The Welsh Government will allow councils to use funds for the pre-existing free childcare offer to expand childcare for key workers as well as children deemed to be vulnerable. Many councils have kept a limited number of schools open to provide childcare cover for such children.

The free childcare offer currently provides 30 hours of free childcare a week for 48 weeks a year for qualifying working parents.

That scheme is set to be suspended for three months and replaced with the temporary emergency service, though childcare providers will continue to receive funding for pre-booked childcare hours.

Deputy Minister for Health & Social Service, Julie Morgan (Lab, Cardiff North) said: “We’re at a point where most families are caring for their children at home, so now it makes sense to look at what more we can do with our childcare funding, especially in support of those working on our frontline.

“The coronavirus childcare assistance scheme will ensure parents, who are critical workers, will get the childcare they need and childcare providers will have security about how their businesses will operate.”