With the planned support to be reviewed after 6 months, and an option to extend support for “vulnerable businesses”, this is welcomed support as far as it goes.
Chief Executive, Dave Goodger said ‘Early Years Wales would like to see the early years’ sector protected throughout this period of challenging price rises.
There is no doubt that since the first Covid-19 lockdown the sector has faced increased financial pressures and numerous business continuity challenges.
With rising costs, limited increases in Government funding, and without wishing to pass on incremental rises in parental fees, we are concerned about the uncertainty of the status of the childcare sector and their utility bills costs in 3- or 6-months’ time. We think extending bill protection in line with the timeline for protecting household utility bills (until 2024) would be a supportive step from the Westminster Government.
This level of support for the childcare sector would demonstrate Governmental support for the childcare and early years businesses and charities; a sector which is providing essential services for children and supports the wider economy through helping working parents with their childcare needs.’