News

Welsh childcare offer is coming to Newport

From September 2018, Newport families will be among those in Wales able to claim 30 hours of free childcare.

Eligible parents or guardians in Gaer, Maesglas, Rogerstone, Lliswerry, Malpas, St Julian's, Stow Hill and Shaftesbury, will be able to apply online from 24 July.

The Welsh Government scheme is being piloted in those eight wards this autumn before being rolled out across the city.

It will consist of a combination of the existing Foundation Phase Nursery provision open to all three and four-year-olds and the additional funded childcare for eligible families.

Parents have to meet the following criteria:

• Have a child aged three or four years who is able to access part-time education
• They must be resident in one of the pilot areas in Newport

• Both parents must be working in a two parent family, or the sole parent in a lone parent family, and be working 16 hours or more either employed or self-employed

OR

• Earning the equivalent of working 16 hours at national living wage or national minimum wage

OR

• In receipt of specific caring benefits

Councillor David Mayer, Newport City Council's cabinet member for community and resources, said: "I'm pleased that parents in Newport will now be able to access this Welsh Government-funded scheme, firstly in the pilot areas and then across the city.

"We know that the costs of childcare can sometimes prevent parents who want to work being able to do so, or finding that their wages are being gobbled up by fees. I'm sure the childcare offer will be welcomed by parents who qualify."

For further information about the scheme visit www.newport.gov.uk/childcareoffer