Business Rates Scrapped for Childcare Providers in Wales

Children’s day nurseries in Wales will be exempt from paying business rates from April 2019.

Wrexham’s Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths, has welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement that confirms all registered childcare properties will be eligible for 100% rates relief.

The scheme, which will provide an estimated £7.5m of additional support to childcare providers over three years, will help develop and strengthen the childcare sector.

Lesley Griffiths AM said: “Enhancing childcare provision across Wales is a key priority for the Welsh Government and introducing a total exemption on business rates will make a real difference.”

“It will help childcare providers become more established, create new childcare jobs and encourage the sector to grow.”

The latest announcement is a further boost for the sector following last month’s decision to increase the pace of the rollout of the Welsh Labour Government’s flagship childcare policy.

The Childcare offer, which is being implemented nationwide in phases, provides 30 hours a week of government-funded early education and childcare to working parents of 3 and 4 year olds for up to 48 weeks of the year.

Whilst the offer is already available to certain Wrexham residents depending on where they live, it will be available to all by January 2019.

Lesley Griffiths AM added: “Families in Wrexham are benefiting from Welsh Labour’s flagship childcare offers.  The policies will make a palpable and positive difference to parents’ lives, helping reduce the strain on family income and enabling parents to return to work.”