The Minister for Children and Social Care announces an increase in the hourly rate for childcare providers delivering the Childcare Offer to £6. This rate will be reviewed annually and the Small Business Rates Relief for registered childcare premises is permanent to support the childcare sector’s sustainability.

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• The Minister for Children and Social Care has announced an increase to the hourly rate from £5.00 per hour to £6.00 per hour paid to Childcare Providers who deliver the Childcare Offer for Wales. The revised rate will take effect on 7 April 2025. This is the first Monday of the new financial year.

• The Welsh Government will provide extra funding as part of the review to uplift the Nursery Education element of the Offer and to uplift the childcare element of Flying Start.

• The Minister has also announced a 20% uplift to permissible food charges which childcare providers may charge parents who access the Offer at their setting.

• The Welsh Government has engaged CWLWM members to clarify policy guidance around permissible charges. Any changes will take effect at the same time as the revised rate

• These developments build upon the already announced 100% business rate relief for registered childcare providers and the move to review the rate payable for the Childcare Offer and flying start childcare on an annual basis.

>> You can access the Minister for Children and Social Services written statement here <<