, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
Absolutely. We will write to you on that.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
Yes, we can write to you. I think that it is on social services, but we can certainly do that. I will make sure that we write to you—
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
Diolch, Sioned. Yes, absolutely. We have that ambition and I think it's about how we achieve it and the realistic nature—we've talked today about a complex picture. But we need to make sure that we do it in a way that is planned and make sure that the…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
Again, I haven't been in long enough to hear that from anybody, to be honest, but I don't know if you have on this bit.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
A bit of a mix, really.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
I think they'd all been clear, hadn't they, with you? So, I think even though there might be some similarities with a couple, I think there are a few that—
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
There are five that haven't met the provision. But the reasons are known to officials, and officials have been working with them closely. I don't know if you'd like to add specifically on this.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
Yes, absolutely. When I first came in, I was keen to see the progress made in each area. I think where there have been issues, they have been made clear to officials, in different local authorities. There are some similar ones. I think it's the ones in—. I…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
Thank you, Sioned. Diolch. Phase 3 of the programme will begin in April 2025. Phase 3 will build on the position we've reached at the end of phase 2 with the intention of making provision available for all two-year-olds in Wales through our co-operation…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
Thank you. I certainly will, and I'll certainly be following the Children, Young People and Education Committee's full report and the focus on childcare in that report.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
I was just going to say that one of the pieces of evidence that I heard that will stick in my mind really was very much around the communication between parents of children with disabilities and the provider. You're putting your trust in a provider, aren't…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
Absolutely. Like I say, I’m really keen to follow that work, and I know this committee has taken that evidence as well, which I think is really helpful. So, I look forward to seeing the work that comes out of the Children, Young People and Education…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
Yes, thank you, Jane. And I think it is hard to get to the first three, but it will focus my mind, I'm sure. But I think it's the quality, isn't it, and the early years, and the quicker you can get the—. You really do make so much benefit for young people in…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
No, no—it's fine. That's okay, because I haven't been in this bit, so you might have considered it previously to me.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
Yes, absolutely. That's the last thing we want to do, isn't it—push them out. We need to support them. I'm early into this portfolio, but perhaps Clare could—
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
I've read a bit about Estonia, and I understand some of the points that you're making on this. And we do know that it's important the workforce is well equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours and the values for high-quality childcare and play work…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
Thank you, Carolyn. Yes, raising standards and skills does remain a key ambition for the development of high-quality childcare and play workforce. FootnoteLinkThe evidence, we know, is very clear, that provision benefits our children and strongly influences…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
Can I just bring Alex in as well?
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
Thank you, Carolyn. Yes, absolutely. We know that childcare enables parents, especially mothers, to work; supporting a thriving economy allows us to better tackle poverty and reduce inequalities. We've worked with the sector to support that employment and…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
Thank you. Thanks, Carolyn. Absolutely. I'm keen, myself, to understand all the different educational qualifications and to see for myself, and that's one of the things I'll be doing when I go and visit a school in west Wales in the coming, I think…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
Absolutely, the recruitment and funding, as you say, are complex in this, but I have also asked for a conversation with my officials on this point. I understand that, in Scotland, there are certain requirements in relation to pay and staff development…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
Absolutely, Carolyn. Yes, definitely working across Government, and including local authorities, because, as you say, they're a really key partner in all of this.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
Thank you. Well, my officials have spoken to me about this issue. The simple answer is, 'No, we don’t have data on spend compared to GDP', in part because, as ever with statistics, it’s not that easy. My understanding is that the UNICEF recommended spend of 1…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
Yes, I think that's really important evidence you have, and I'd be keen to look further at that. As I said, this isn't a quick decision, unfortunately; it's a case of listening to people and also making sure we get this right. I don't know if Clare wants to…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Childcare follow up inquiry: Ministerial evidence session
Thanks, Buffy. We know that the funding rate of the childcare offer is vitally important, but we also know that inflationary increases are not the only factor. Gathering evidence that thoroughly considers all the complex factors that impact the rate takes…
