Cwlwm, the strategic partnership representing key organisations in the early years, childcare and play sector in Wales, has today launched its Manifesto for a Fairer Future ahead of the upcoming Senedd elections.
The manifesto outlines seven key calls of the next Welsh Government to ensure long-term sustainability for the early years and play sector, tackle poverty, and promote social justice – all vital for securing a brighter, fairer future for Wales' future generations
Cwlwm's manifesto calls on the next Welsh Government to commit to:
- Increased pay and targeted financial support to address the recruitment and retention crisis in the sector.
- Consistent, long-term funding to ensure the stability and sustainability of services that support families across Wales.
- Enhanced value of the sector in policy-making, recognising its central role in education, care, and community resilience.
- Greater support for children with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) by equipping the sector with resources and training to deliver inclusive care.
- Support for wellbeing and social justice, recognising the critical role the sector plays in tackling child poverty and promoting equality.
- Making Early Childhood Play, Learning and Care (ECPLC) statutory, ensuring the sector has a strong legislative foundation for the future.
- Enhance Cwlwm's ability to implement its Anti-racism work
These seven calls represent a united vision for how the early years and play sector can thrive and continue to deliver essential support to families, communities, and the economy.
CEO of Mudiad Meithrin and Chair of the Cwlwm Partnership, Dr Gwenllian Llansdown Davies, said:
"Childcare services are essential for Wales' children to have a positive start, playful childhood and for communities to prosper. They provide the vital services for children's development; and play an important role in supporting families across Wales.
The businesses, charities, and workforce are focused on providing high-quality childcare experiences for children from birth – 12 years of age. The Cwlwm manifesto realises this importance in policy terms, creating a vision of long term sustainable childcare provision which will support the next generation of young children in Wales for decades to come"
Cwlwm