Free childcare for two-year-olds to expand across north Powys

Parents of two-year-olds in Newtown, Welshpool and communities across north Powys will be able to access up to 12.5 hours of funded childcare a week from January.

The Welsh Government-funded scheme is being expanded across the whole of Powys from January 2027, removing existing postcode restrictions which have meant eligibility can depend on where a family lives.

Under the new arrangements, children will be entitled to up to 12.5 hours of funded childcare a week for 39 weeks of the year following their second birthday.

The change could be particularly significant for families in Newtown, Welshpool and surrounding rural communities, where access to funded provision has previously varied according to location.

Powys County Council said the expansion is expected to begin in January, although this remains subject to the development of sufficient local childcare provision and delivery arrangements.

One of the biggest changes will be the removal of postcode-based eligibility. Families will instead be able to apply regardless of where they live in Powys, potentially opening the scheme to significantly more parents.

Cllr Sandra Davies, Powys County Council's Cabinet Member for Future Generations, said: "This is excellent news for families across Powys. From January 2027, parents of two-year-olds will be able to benefit from funded childcare wherever they live in the county, helping to reduce childcare costs and making it easier for parents and carers to access employment, training and other opportunities.

"The funded childcare will also give children the opportunity to learn, play and develop in high-quality early years settings, helping to give them the best possible start in life.

"We are working closely with childcare providers and the Welsh Government to make sure families across Powys, including those in our rural communities, can benefit from this important investment."

The council is now assessing likely demand and developing childcare provision across Powys ahead of the expansion, including Welsh-medium places.

The availability of sufficient childcare places will be particularly important in rural parts of north Powys, where families can have fewer providers within easy travelling distance.

Parents do not need to apply yet. The council said further details on eligibility, applications, participating childcare providers and when individual children can start will be published before applications open.

Families can currently check whether they qualify for the existing Flying Start programme through the Powys County Council website: https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/1481/Flying-Start