Completed petition Create, fund and sustain sufficient affordable nursery and childcare places for all working parents
Too many parents with young families are prohibited from taking up opportunities in employment, education and training due to the lack of affordable local childcare. This is keeping children and families in poverty, reducing choice for employers, and negatively affecting the wellbeing of families and the economy of Wales. It needs intervention at a political level to ensure this situation is addressed.
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As a former childcare development officer I can confirm the situation is worse now than it was 10-15 years ago with a huge reduction in childcare places for babies to older children. As part of a commitment to children and families in Wales the Welsh Government needs to urgently consider options to make affordable childcare a right for all families in the same way education is, and even consider siting nurseries and childcare on school grounds particularly for new builds or where space allows on existing school sites. Parents I know are unable to take up opportunities that would benefit their families because either they cannot afford childcare or more often there is no childcare available. There needs to be sustained investment at Welsh Government level both in providing and subsidising childcare places - let's lead the way for the rest of the UK!
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Do disabled children and young people have equal access to education and childcare?
If you have experienced difficulties accessing education or childcare for a child with disabilities, this may be of interest to you.
The Children, Young People and Education Committee is conducting an inquiry into disabled children and young people’s access to childcare and education and the extent to which childcare providers, schools and local authorities meet their duties under the Equality Act 2010.
Find out more about the inquiry and how to share your views:
https://business.senedd.wales/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=40923