Political parties in Wales pledge childcare reforms ahead of Senedd election

6 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Apr 27

Average part-time nursery costs in Wales have risen 8% to £166.33 per week, now the highest in Britain, prompting parties to propose expanded free childcare for children as young as nine months.
Labour, Plaid Cymru, Greens, Liberal Democrats, and Conservatives have outlined differing plans, from 20 to 30 free hours weekly, while parents and providers highlight affordability gaps and staffing challenges.
Wales' current schemes lag behind England, where free childcare starts at nine months, leading to calls for parity and concerns about potential funding shortfalls or service reductions if reforms are implemented.

Why are Welsh parents paying thousands more for childcare than English neighbours?

How can Wales expand free childcare without repeating England's mistakes of nursery closures?

Beyond helping parents work, how will new policies tackle Wales' high child poverty rate?

Could paying grandparents to provide childcare be a better solution than formal nurseries?

With a critical shortage of care for children with SEND, how will new plans help them?