Welsh Lib Dems Launch Key Free Childcare Policy

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have pledged to make childcare a central focus of their policies as they head into the 2026 Senedd elections in Wales.

At a visit to Meithrinfa Y Pelican nursery in Cardiff today ahead of their Spring Conference, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds outlined plans by her party to provide 30 hours of free childcare every week for children aged 9 months to 4 years old.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have stated that the high costs of childcare are not only pushing families to the brink in the cost-of-living crisis, but are also having a negative impact on the Welsh economy, with parents often forced to give up work because it's cheaper than childcare.

Childcare has already been a key focus of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, with Jane Dodds having negotiated with the Welsh Government in April’s budget to secure £30 million extra to extend the Flying Start programme to deliver childcare to all two-year-olds across Wales and increase the hourly rate to support childcare providers.

The Party has stated that this deal was just the start and they would go much further would they be in a position to drive Welsh Government policy following the next election.

During the visit, Meithrinfa Y Pelican explained the pressures that childcare providers are under, including the recent rise in national insurance which has caused them to need to increase prices to maintain their staffing levels at the legal requirement, this is in addition to recent increases in water and energy bills as well as general inflation. 

Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said:

“Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the opportunity to flourish, no matter their background or personal circumstances.

“I know when I speak to families across Wales, the extortionate cost of childcare is one of the biggest challenges people face. It’s not only impacting children and child poverty rates, but its also dragging down the Welsh economy as a whole and preventing parents, especially women, from having the careers they want. 

“Fixing the crisis in the childcare system across Wales is a core focus for the Welsh Liberal Democrats, a vote for us next year is a vote to drive down the costs of childcare for families across Wales, tackle the cost-of-living crisis and get our economy moving again.”

ENDS