Childcare Sufficiency Assessment and Action Plan 2022
The Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2022 presents an up-to-date picture of the childcare sector in Blaenau Gwent.听 The Action Plan sets out how the Local Authority intends to extend and further improve local provision to help meet the needs of parents and carers.
Choosing Childcare
Choosing the right kind of childcare is an important and very personal decision; the best type of childcare for you depends on your family situation.
The different types of provision may seem confusing without adequate information.听 We aim to ensure that you are able to make an informed choice, knowing that you have considered all options available.
The big childcare choices are Childminders, Day Nurseries, After School Childcare Clubs, Holiday Clubs and Home Based Child Carers.听 In addition, Playgroups and Cylchoedd Meithrins offer care and activities for pre-schoolers, often only for part of the day.
Any provider of a service in which children under 12 years old are looked after for a period of two hours or more must register with the Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales (CSSIW) in accordance with the Children Act 1989. Information about minimum standards can be obtained from the CSSIW (link in related sites).听 All settings in Blaenau Gwent are encouraged to gain quality assurance standards through the Environmental Ratings Scheme and ERS scores are published in a variety of media.听
The Family Information Service will be able to offer advice and guidance on all childcare issues.
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Childcare Sufficiency Duty
The Childcare Act 2006 placed a responsibility on all Local Authorities to ensure, so far as it is reasonably practicable, that the provision of childcare is sufficient to meet the needs of parents in its area.听 It also requires Local Authorities to provide information, advice and assistance to parents, prospective parents and those with parental responsibility of care of a child, relating to childcare.
Childcare Sufficiency is analysed fully every three years with the completion of a Childcare Sufficiency Assessment with an Annual Refresh conducted to update supply data (see Related Documents).
The next Childcare Sufficiency Assessment is due in Spring 2025.
Related Documents
- Blaenau Gwent Childcare Sufficiency Assessment and Action Plan 2017
- Financial Help with Childcare Costs
- Home based Childcare
- Rewarding careers helping children to play, learn and grow
- Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2014-2017 Summary Report
- Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Annual Refresh 2012
- Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Annual Refresh 2013
- Privacy Notice - Childcare Offer Wales
Contact Information
Name of Team: Early Years Childcare and Play Team
Telephone Number: 01495 355584
Address: Heart of the Valleys Integrated Childrens Centre, High Street, Blaina, Blaenau Gwent, NP13 3BN
Email Address: Claire.smith@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk