Carl Sargeant talks childcare with parents

As part of the development of the Welsh Government’s Childcare Offer, Communities and Children’s Secretary Carl Sargeant will today (Thursday 22 September) launch a new campaign to give parents an opportunity to highlight what childcare issues are important to them.

Launching the #TalkChildcare campaign at a Flying Start Centre in Flintshire, Carl Sargeant said he is keen to hear the views of parents and learn about their experiences of childcare to inform the development of the offer.

As part of the #TalkChildcare campaign, parents will be encouraged to give feedback on their experiences via surveys and social media.

Work is already underway to develop and deliver the offer with the aim of rolling out the first pilot schemes in September 2017.

Carl Sargeant said:

“Childcare enables parents to work, supporting the drive to increase economic growth, tackle poverty and reduce inequalities.  It also provides opportunities and long term benefits for our children and improves their life chances.  This is why developing an enhanced flexible childcare offer for Wales is a top priority for the Welsh Government. We want to deliver a better deal on childcare for parents, for business, and for the economy.

“Our childcare offer will provide 30 hours free childcare a week for working parents of three and four year olds, 48 weeks of the year. We are determined to get it right which is why we are keen to hear the views of parents.

“I want to involve parents in developing this childcare offer over the next couple of years so that we find the most effective model for the delivery of quality childcare.

“Launching the #TalkChildcare campaign today is an important step forward in developing our childcare offer.”