THOUSANDS of children across North Wales are benefitting from the Welsh Government's childcare offer.

Of the 3,200 across the whole region, the number of Flintshire children who have accessed the offer stands at 766, while the total in Wrexham is 658. Facilities across North Wales have also benefited from over £24.8m investment in capital projects as a result of the offer, and over £2m has been invested in the region as part of the small grants available with the scheme.

The Welsh Government is committed to providing 30 hours of government-funded early education and childcare for up to 48 weeks of the year to all three and four year olds of eligible working parents.

Deputy Minister for Health Julie Morgan visited Caego Day Nursery in Wrexham to hear about their experiences of the offer. With more than 600 children in the Wrexham area having accessed the offer, 17 of them are benefitting from it at Caego. The nursery has also received £10,000 from the Childcare Offer small grants scheme to install a canopy and extend their outdoor play surface.

Julie Morgan said: “North Wales is really taking advantage of the Childcare Offer, with excellent take up figures across all local authority areas.

"It’s been a real pleasure to visit Caego Day Nursery which has also benefited from the offer’s small grants scheme further improving the facilities for the children.

“The Offer makes a real difference for working parents and ensures the cost of childcare is not a barrier for parents to return to work. It’s good news for the economy and for families across North Wales.”