Despite ongoing financial pressures faced by families and childcare providers, the organisation reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that every child in Wales has the opportunity to play, learn, and thrive. Central to this commitment was Early Years Wales' bold decision to introduce free membership for all settings and individuals in 2024/25. Funded through internal reserves, the initiative aims to remove financial barriers and ensure inclusive access to essential support, training, and resources.
Over the past year, the Board of Trustees has led a strategic expansion of activity across the organisation. This has included increased advocacy efforts, deeper involvement in policy development, and the delivery of high-quality training and professional services. Early Years Wales has also strengthened its role as a trusted voice for the sector by contributing to Senedd discussions, participating in policy advisory groups, and publishing thought-leadership pieces to shape best practice across Wales.
As Wales approaches the 2025 Senedd elections, Early Years Wales is working proactively with partners and policymakers to ensure the needs of children, families, and early years providers remain central to political debate. The organisations manifesto - A Welsh Way Forward for Early Years: Policy Priorities for the Next Senedd, outlines evidence-based recommendations to strengthen early years provision across the country.
"Wales is uniquely positioned to lead the way in early childhood development," David Dallimore, the organisations chair notes in his introduction. "Large enough to make meaningful impact, yet small enough to collaborate effectively, we believe that together we can build a future where every child is supported to reach their full potential.”
Early Years Wales looks ahead to 2025/26 with renewed ambition, continuing its mission to elevate early years practice, empower providers, and champion the essential role of early childhood in fostering a thriving, inclusive society.
"I am proud to share our impact report from our work in 2024/25. This report follows our fully audited accounts and tells the story of the quality and breadth of the work of Early Years Wales' team across Wales. What we deliver, as a relatively small team of professionals, each year is a credit to the work of my colleagues, their commitment, drive and passion for the early years. We are consistently sharing and spotlighting the importance of the early years, and the early years sector; and striving to work with our members to enable every child in Wales to have the best start in life.
In sharing this report, we highlight our successes and impact. None of this could be achieved without the systems support from our administrative team and finance team who work tirelessly to support our core offer and projects for members. Whilst their work isn't directly recognised in the impact report, their support and endeavours are always appreciated and highly valued." David Goodger, CEO