Child Care
Families across Wales deserve a childcare system that truly works for them, and our campaign is stepping forward with a bold vision to make that a reality. At a time when parents are struggling with rising costs and limited support, we are championing a transformative childcare plan designed to ease financial pressure, open up opportunities, and give every child the best possible start in life. This is about fairness, ambition, and building a Wales where families are supported—not left to cope alone.
Welsh Liberal Democrats Announce Ambitious Childcare Plan to Tackle Poverty and Support Families
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have unveiled a bold new childcare policy that promises to deliver the most generous offer in Britain. Under the proposals, every child in Wales aged 9 months to 4 years old would be entitled to 30 hours of free childcare per week, regardless of family income or employment status.
The party argues that this universal approach will ease the financial burden on families, many of whom currently spend up to 60% of their net income on childcare. By removing these barriers, the policy aims to help parents stay in work, reduce child poverty, and strengthen the Welsh economy.
Key elements of the plan include:
• Universal free childcare: 30 hours per week for all children aged 9 months to 4 years.
• Holiday support: Funded childcare and activities during school breaks to ease pressure on families.
• System overhaul: A complete revamp of childcare provision to improve affordability, accessibility, and quality.
• Economic benefits: Supporting parents to remain in work and boosting productivity across Wales.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have criticized the current Labour government’s childcare offer as inadequate, pointing out that it provides only 12.5 hours for 2–3-year-olds and nothing for under-twos. Their new policy, they say, will close this gap and ensure Wales leads the way in supporting families.
Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru yn Cyhoeddi Cynllun Gofal Plant Beiddgar i Daclo Tlodi a Chefnogi Teuluoedd
Mae Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru wedi datgelu polisi gofal plant beiddgar newydd sy’n addo cynnig y gefnogaeth fwyaf hael ym Mhrydain. O dan y cynigion, byddai pob plentyn yng Nghymru rhwng 9 mis a 4 oed yn gymwys i gael 30 awr o ofal plant am ddim yr wythnos, waeth beth fo incwm y teulu neu statws cyflogaeth.
Mae’r blaid yn dadlau y bydd y dull cyffredinol hwn yn lleihau’r baich ariannol ar deuluoedd, y mae llawer ohonynt ar hyn o bryd yn gwario hyd at 60% o’u hincwm net ar ofal plant. Drwy ddileu’r rhwystrau hyn, mae’r polisi’n anelu at helpu rhieni i aros mewn gwaith, lleihau tlodi plant, a chryfhau economi Cymru.
Prif elfennau’r cynllun yn cynnwys:
• Gofal plant cyffredinol am ddim: 30 awr yr wythnos i bob plentyn 9 mis i 4 oed.
• Cefnogaeth gwyliau: Gofal plant a gweithgareddau wedi’u hariannu yn ystod gwyliau ysgol i leihau pwysau ar deuluoedd.
• Ailwampio’r system: Adnewyddu llwyr o ddarpariaeth gofal plant i wella fforddiadwyedd, hygyrchedd ac ansawdd.
• Buddion economaidd: Cefnogi rhieni i aros mewn gwaith a chynyddu cynhyrchiant ledled Cymru.
Mae Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru wedi beirniadu cynnig gofal plant presennol y Llywodraeth Lafur fel un annigonol, gan nodi mai dim ond 12.5 awr y mae’n ei ddarparu i blant 2–3 oed ac nid oes dim ar gael i blant dan ddwy oed. Maent yn dweud y bydd eu polisi newydd yn cau’r bwlch hwn ac yn sicrhau bod Cymru’n arwain y ffordd wrth gefnogi teuluoedd.