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By Rachel Lawler

The Welsh government has that early years funding rates will increase by 11% in April 2022.

An additional £6 million will be spend on the childcare offers in Wales, taking the hourly rate from £4.50 an hour to £5 an hour starting in April.

The Welsh government is also increasing the amount it allows providers to charge families for food from £7.50 a day to £9 a day to reflect “the increase in both food prices and utility and energy prices”.

Julie Morgan, deputy minister for social services in Wales, said that it was “important that childcare providers are paid a sustainable rate” and noted that there had been calls to review the funding levels in some areas of Wales.

She also committed to reviewing the rate “at least every three years” to enable the “continued provision of high-quality care and education, giving children the very best start in life”.

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