1. Mother Goose Nursery
City/Town: Wrexham
Postal Code: LL13 0LQ
Street Address: Unit 17 Penley Ind Est
Country: UK
2. Bees Knees Day Nursery
City/Town: Rhyl
Postal Code: LL18 2DA
Street Address: 3 Albert St
Country: UK
3. Aspire Day Nursery
City/Town: Swansea
Postal Code: SA4 4FF
Street Address: 67-71 Pontardulais Rd
Country: UK
4. Burleigh House Day Nursery
City/Town: Newport
Postal Code: NP20 4JS
Street Address: 25 Bryngwyn Rd
Country: UK
5. Camau Tirion
City/Town: Llanelli
Postal Code: SA15 3EJ
Street Address: Heol Goffa
Country: UK
6. Riverside Nursery School
City/Town: Chepstow
Postal Code: NP16 7PT
Street Address: Powder House Farm
Country: UK
7. Poppies Day Nursery
City/Town: Pontypool
Postal Code: NP4 5LE
Street Address: Maesderwen House Maesderwen Rd
Country: UK
8. Forge Fach Day Nursery
City/Town: Swansea
Postal Code: SA6 5EJ
Street Address: Forge Fach Resource Centre, Hebron Rd
Country: UK
9. Osborne Childrens Nursery
City/Town: Newport
Postal Code: NP19 9DF
Street Address: Quantock Drive
Country: UK
10. Passport to Play Day Nursery Ltd
City/Town: Barry
Postal Code: CF62 3EQ
Street Address: 47 Rhoose Rd
Country: UK
11. Osbourne Lodge Nursery
City/Town: Pontypool
Postal Code: NP4 6LT
Street Address: Osborne Rd
Country: UK
12. Archway Court Childrens Day Nursery
City/Town: Newport
Postal Code: NP19 7BZ
Street Address: 105-109 Caerleon Rd
Country: UK
13. Little Cherubs Nursery Ltd
City/Town: Cardiff
Postal Code: CF14 2AD
Street Address: 12 Penlline Rd
Country: UK
14. First Steps Day Nursery
City/Town: Colwyn Bay
Postal Code: LL28 4TR
Street Address: 1 Llandudno Rd
Country: UK
15. Mes Enfants Ltd
City/Town: Swansea
Postal Code: SA3 4EL
Street Address: 742 Mumbles Rd
Country: UK
16. Little Scholars Nursery
City/Town: Wrexham
Postal Code: LL11 2AW
Street Address: Mold Road
Country: UK
17. Tiddlywinks
City/Town: Swansea
Postal Code: SA9 2HR
Street Address: 38 Commercial St
Country: UK
18. Little Tommys Childcare
City/Town: Cwmbran, Gwent
Postal Code: NP44 3BH
Street Address: 190 Llantarnam Road
Country: UK
19. A B C Day Nursery
City/Town: Wrexham
Postal Code: LL12 9UH
Street Address: Gwastad Hall Llay Rd
Country: UK
20. Abbeyfield Day Nursery
City/Town: Wrexham
Postal Code: LL13 9NF
Street Address: Cefn Rd
Country: UK
21. Treforys Tiny Tots
City/Town: Swansea
Postal Code: SA7 9FP
Street Address: Rainbow Business Centre, Phoenix Way
Country: UK
22. The Alphabet Tree
City/Town: Caerphilly
Postal Code: CF83 1BQ
Street Address: Varlin Court, Unit 6 Western Ind Est
Country: UK
23. Footsteps Day Nursery
City/Town: Caerphilly
Postal Code: CF83 3LF
Street Address: Station Rd
Country: UK
24. Lilleys Day Nursery
City/Town: Swansea
Postal Code: SA7 9JR
Street Address: 12 Birchgrove Rd
Country: UK
25. Rhian Halfpenny Childminding
City/Town: Swansea
Postal Code: SA2 7UB
Street Address: 38 Ddol Rd
Country: UK
26. Redbrook Day Nursery
City/Town: Wrexham
Postal Code: LL13 9UT
Street Address: Bryn Lane, Wrexham Ind Est
Country: UK
27. Red Balloon Day Nursery
City/Town: Cardiff
Postal Code: CF23 9PZ
Street Address: Circle Way East
Country: UK
28. Nanny Nat’s Childcare
City/Town: Neath
Postal Code: SA11 1HL
Street Address: Elsinore House 119 London Rd
Country: UK
29. Elizabeth Marshall Registered Childminder
City/Town: Llantwit Major
Postal Code: CF61 2GT
Street Address: 24 Monmouth Way
Country: UK
30. Ynyscynon Flying Start
City/Town: Tonypandy
Postal Code: CF40 2ND
Street Address: Church St
Country: UK
31. Willow Tree Nursery
City/Town: Cwmbran
Postal Code: NP44 3BH
Street Address: 190 Llantarnam Rd
Country: UK
32. Tiny Tots Premier Childcare Services
City/Town: Newport
Postal Code: NP20 2FF
Street Address: 1 The Avenue Clytha Square
Country: UK
33. Woodlands Childminding Services
City/Town: Pontypridd
Postal Code: CF38 2PL
Street Address: 36 Foel View Close
Country: UK
34. Squib & Squidge Childminding
City/Town: Deeside
Postal Code: CH5 4UT
Street Address: 67 Bryn Rd
Country: UK
35. Plantos Day Nursery
City/Town: Cardiff
Postal Code: CF3 5XA
Street Address: Wern-Fawr House Eastern Business Pa, Wern Fawr Lane
Country: UK
36. Little Fishes Nursery
City/Town: Cardiff
Postal Code: CF3 0EF
Street Address: Crickhowell Rd St Mellons, Church Of The Resurrection
Country: UK
37. Busy Bees
City/Town: Deeside
Postal Code: CH5 3XN
Street Address: St David’s Park
Country: UK
38. Mo Wood Childminder
City/Town: Llanfairpwllgwyngyll
Postal Code: LL61 5JR
Street Address: 18 Stad Ty Croes
Country: UK
39. Jumping Jacks Day Nursery
City/Town: Rhyl
Postal Code: LL18 5TU
Street Address: Omega 165 St Asaph Avenue
Country: UK
40. Pobl Bach
City/Town: Carmarthen
Postal Code: SA31 3HU
Street Address: 20 Pondside
Country: UK
41. Golden Manor Nursery Ltd
City/Town: Pembroke
Postal Code: SA71 4PR
Street Address: Golden Lane
Country: UK
42. The Owl & The Pussycat Nursery
City/Town: Newport
Postal Code: NP18 1AW
Street Address: Caerleon Methodist Church, Church St
Country: UK
43. Heavenly Day Nursery
City/Town: Tonypandy
Postal Code: CF40 2HT
Street Address: Iscoed
Country: UK
44. Heavenly Day Nursery
City/Town: Treorchy
Postal Code: CF42 6PW
Street Address: 8 Hermon St
Country: UK
45. Seren-Super-Stars Playgroup
City/Town: Llandudno
Postal Code: LL30 2LZ
Street Address: Ysgol Ffordd Dyffryn Dyffryn Rd
Country: UK
46. Vicky’s Childminding
City/Town: Wrexham
Postal Code: LL14 4BE
Street Address: 7 Rosemary Crescent
Country: UK
47. Tiny Tots Childcare
City/Town: Newport
Postal Code: NP20 6WE
Street Address: 440 Malpas Rd
Country: UK
48. Appletree Day Nursery
City/Town: Caldicot
Postal Code: NP26 3DX
Street Address: North Row
Country: UK
49. Little Angels Nursery
City/Town: Aberystwyth
Postal Code: SY23 2JZ
Street Address: Tynrhos Caradoc Rd
Country: UK
50. Little Treasures
City/Town: Wrexham
Postal Code: LL13 9QA
Street Address: 56 Brynheulog
Country: UK
Childcare in Wales, UK, is a vital component of the education and social support system, aimed at facilitating early childhood development while supporting families in balancing work and childcare responsibilities. This overview will explore various aspects of childcare in Wales, including its regulatory framework, types of childcare providers, funding mechanisms, and the importance of early years education.
Regulatory Framework
Childcare in Wales is regulated by the Welsh Government under the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW), which ensures that childcare settings meet national standards for quality and safety. The regulatory framework includes:
- Registration and Inspection: All childcare providers, including nurseries, childminders, and playgroups, must register with CIW. Regular inspections assess compliance with health, safety, and educational standards.
- Staff Qualifications: Requirements vary by setting but generally include minimum qualifications and ongoing professional development for staff working with children.
- Safeguarding and Welfare: Emphasis is placed on safeguarding children’s welfare, promoting positive outcomes, and providing a nurturing environment conducive to learning and development.
Types of Childcare Providers
Childcare options in Wales cater to diverse family needs and preferences, offering a range of settings and services:
- Nurseries: Typically located in dedicated premises, nurseries provide full-day care and early education for children from infancy to school age. They follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
- Childminders: Registered childminders care for small groups of children in their homes, offering a home-like environment with personalized care and flexibility in hours.
- Playgroups and Pre-schools: Community-based playgroups and pre-schools offer part-time childcare and early learning opportunities, often focusing on socialization and preparing children for school.
- School-based Care: Some primary schools in Wales offer childcare services before and after school hours, accommodating working parents’ schedules.
- Parent and Toddler Groups: Informal groups provide opportunities for parents and young children to socialize and participate in activities together.
Funding Mechanisms
Access to affordable childcare is supported through various funding mechanisms and subsidies:
- Childcare Offer: The Welsh Government’s Childcare Offer provides eligible working parents of 3 and 4-year-olds with up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week during term time and a portion during school holidays.
- Tax-Free Childcare: A UK-wide initiative, Tax-Free Childcare allows eligible parents to receive government contributions towards childcare costs.
- Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit: Families may qualify for additional financial support through Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit to help cover childcare expenses.
- Local Authority Support: Some local authorities in Wales offer discretionary funding and support for families who do not qualify for other forms of financial assistance.
Importance of Early Years Education
Early years education in Wales plays a crucial role in children’s development and school readiness:
- Early Learning Goals: The Foundation Phase framework emphasizes play-based learning and hands-on experiences to promote holistic development, including communication, physical, and social skills.
- Language and Literacy: Early years settings focus on language acquisition and literacy skills, laying the foundation for future academic success.
- Social and Emotional Development: Children learn to interact with peers, develop empathy, and regulate their emotions in a supportive environment.
- Parental Involvement: Strong partnerships between childcare providers and parents encourage continuity of care and support children’s learning and development at home and in childcare settings.
Challenges and Future Directions
While childcare in Wales benefits from supportive policies and regulatory oversight, challenges remain:
- Affordability: Despite funding initiatives, childcare costs can be prohibitive for some families, impacting access to quality early years education.
- Workforce Development: Ensuring a skilled and sustainable childcare workforce is essential for maintaining quality standards and promoting children’s learning and well-being.
- Equity and Inclusion: Addressing socio-economic disparities and ensuring equitable access to high-quality childcare remains a priority for policymakers.
Looking ahead, ongoing efforts to enhance affordability, expand access to flexible childcare options, and invest in professional development will further strengthen Wales’s childcare system. By prioritizing early years education and supporting families, Wales aims to provide every child with a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.