Key workers in Powys who require pre-school childcare will have a place funded thanks to a Welsh Government scheme.

The Welsh Government has launched a coronavirus childcare assistance scheme and will be providing funding to all Welsh councils to support the cost of childcare for parents whose jobs are critical to Wales’ response to Covid-19.

Children who are considered vulnerable will also be included in the scheme.

To make this funding possible, the Welsh Government has suspended the Childcare Offer for Wales with immediate effect for a period of three months. This means applications are now closed and all children who were due to start on the Childcare Offer this April will be cancelled until further notice.

However, the Welsh Government will honour its commitment to continue to pay childcare providers for the hours of childcare already booked under the childcare offer for three months, with a review to be undertaken at the end of that period.

Cllr Rachel Powell, Cabinet Member for Young People and Culture and Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Education and Property, said: “It is vital that we provide this support for our critical workers, who are doing all they can to help in the fight against coronavirus.

“It is important that they do not have to worry about childcare at this time, when they are working hard on the frontline in extraordinary and difficult circumstances.

“We want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all our childcare providers for the fantastic job they are doing in supporting our response to the coronavirus crisis.

“Childcare providers have a critical role to play to help us keep essential services running and we would like to thank all the staff for the commitment and professionalism they have shown during what is an extremely challenging time for everyone.”

The council will manage all bookings for childcare pre-school aged children for critical workers and vulnerable children. Critical workers can book a place for their child here.

Early years provision is available in Brecon, Builth Wells, Crickhowell, Llandrindod Wells, Llanymynech, Llyswen, Machynlleth, Newtown, Presteigne, Welshpool and Ystradgynlais.

For all enquiries relating to pre-school aged childcare email covid19earlyyearscc@powys.gov.uk

For the latest updates and information about coronavirus from the council, click here.