A FREE childcare scheme is set to be rolled out across Denbighshire three months early.

Earlier this month, Denbighshire county council revealed the scheme for 30 hours of free childcare per week will be available to qualifying parents in Denbighshire from April next year.

The council has today confirmed the whole county will be able to access the scheme from January 2019.

The Welsh Government-funded scheme will provide early education and childcare to low-income working parents of three and four year olds for 48 weeks of the year.

Children become eligible from the beginning of the term following their third birthday until the September following their fourth birthday.

Families will be entitled to up to 20 free hours of childcare during term time, on top of the 10 hours already provided by the Foundation Phase. During the school holidays, when there is no early education, the offer will provide 30 hours a week of childcare for up to nine weeks.

Parents are able to choose any registered childcare setting that suits their personal and family circumstance, whether inside or outside of county, in agreement with the provider and the local authority.

Those not currently accessing the 10 hours a week free childcare provided by the Foundation Phase will still be able to apply for 20 hours free childcare.

To be eligible for free childcare, parents or guardians must meet a set of criteria:

  • Your child must be aged 3 or 4
  • You must work and earn the equivalent of at least 16 hours at national living wage or national minimum wage, or parents and guardians are in receipt of specific caring benefits
  • You must live in Denbighshire.

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, cabinet lead member for Education, Children, Young People and the Welsh Language, said: “We are delighted to be able to share this positive news.

“The aim of the Childcare Offer is to allow eligible parents to have more employment choices, increase their disposable income to help counteract poverty for those in low paid jobs and ensure that quality early education and childcare is provided to promote child development and prepare them for early education.

“Denbighshire County Council have worked hard with Welsh Government to lobby for the families in the county to benefit from the offer.”

Denbighshire will have the role of ‘Engagement Authority’ and will be sharing information and promoting the offer to parents/ guardians and to childcare providers within the county.

Further information about the registration process will be released in coming months. General information on childcare can be found via www.denbighshire.gov.uk/childcare