Plan to boost access to childcare

High quality childcare is often expensive, according to research

A strategy to provide parents in Wales with greater access to childcare has been launched by the Welsh Assembly Government.

The strategy aims to improve childcare provision, making it available to all parents in Wales who need it.

A report by think-tank the Bevan Foundation found that in Wales there is currently just one childcare place for every seven children aged under eight.

Assembly members voted on the proposals on Tuesday afternoon.

Once the strategy - called Childcare is for Children - is adopted, local authorities in Wales will have a duty to ensure adequate provision of childcare is available by April 2008.

There is much more that needs to be done in terms of availability and affordability Sophie Howe, Equal Opportunities Commission

According to the Bevan Foundation's research, published earlier this year, there is just one registered childcare place for every seven children aged less than eight across Wales.

The think-tank found that provision is at its worst in some of Wales' poorest communities, making it difficult for many parents who want to return to work or education.

The research found that Blaenau Gwent has just one childcare place for every 20 children, while in Merthyr Tydfil - which has 5,800 children under the age of eight - there are just 497 childcare places and only 14 registered childminders.

Organisations calling for better childcare provision have said that keeping the cost of childcare low is as important as increasing the number of places.

The assembly government strategy aims to improve childcare provision

In Wales, the average weekly disposable income is around £354, with the average cost of childcare around £134 per child per week.

Sophie Howe, from the Equal Opportunities Commission in Wales, said improving childcare provision could help many families out of poverty.

She added: "The main problem is availability of childcare and there is a particular problem in areas of greatest deprivation.

"it is accepted that childcare is critical in allowing women to go back to work and it's also accepted that having both parents in work is a factor in bringing children out of poverty.

"Our research recommends free childcare places focusing on areas of deprivation.

"There is much more that needs to be done in terms of availability and affordability."

'Affordable childcare'

Welsh Education Minister, Jane Davidson, launched the assembly government's childcare strategy at a primary school in Cardiff on Tuesday morning before AMs voted on the proposals.

The assembly government said it had expanded childcare provision in recent years and the new strategy would help increase the quality and quantity of childcare places.

Ms Davidson said: "As a working mum, I know how important it is for parents to be able to have available affordable, flexible and safe childcare.

"The Welsh Assembly Government has always believed that childcare should be available to all parents who need it and should be delivered by qualified professionals dedicated to supporting the developmental needs of the child.

"We need to ensure Wales has a joined up childcare service using private, state and voluntary facilities."