Child Poverty Strategy Wales
Child Poverty
Strategy Wales / Strategaeth Tlodi Plant Cymru
The Welsh Assembly Government is currently consulting on a new
Child Poverty Strategy for Wales and accompanying Delivery
Plan.
The strategy sets out the Assembly Government’s vision for
tackling child poverty in Wales and improving outcomes for children
and families with the Delivery Plan saying what the Government will
do to make sure this happens.
Quality childcare has an important role in
tackling child poverty and it is important that Government is aware
of the work of childminders and how this work is helping children
and families across Wales.
The strategy contains the following section on childcare
‘We (The Assembly Government) know that there
are some significant challenges if we are going to provide the
right type of childcare, in the right place, and of a quality that
will support the development of children in the early years. A
priority for this Child Poverty Strategy and Delivery Plan must be
to promote accessible, affordable and high quality childcare –
which offers a dual benefit for employment and early years
development.’
We will:
- Develop a strategic and coherent approach to childcare policy
in Wales to provide integrated solutions to improve the supply and
diversity of childcare provision. This will include developing the
childcare infrastructure by increasing and improving the range of
provision.
- Close the gap between demand and supply for childcare in
Wales.
- Work with local authorities and the Sector Skills Council to
develop and enhance the childcare workforce in Wales.
- Continue to promote the availability of the childcare element
of the Working Tax Credit and where possible, to extend the reach
of the scheme to parents with older children.
- Help schools to build on existing provision and consider what
additional services or activities that they and their partners
might develop, particularly in the field of childcare.
- Continue to support the development of out of schools care in
Community focused schools and the development of activities for
children and young people as part of that childcare package.
Community focused schools can provide important wrap around
childcare.
Use your influence
Do you agree with these aims? Are they
realistic? Is there anything the Assembly Government could do to
help you in the work you do?
NCMA Cymru would love to hear from you if you
have any views on the Strategy and what it says about childcare. If
you would like to discuss the Strategy or send your views to us,
please contact Peter Evans, Policy and
Communications officer for Wales on 02920 442983.
The consultation documents are available in
both
English and
Welsh.
The closing date for the consultation is 12 August 2010.