Free childcare scheme to be piloted by six councils

Six local authorities have been chosen to take part in a pilot scheme offering free childcare to parents of 3 and 4 year olds.

The scheme will offer 30 hours of free early education and childcare a week, for 48 weeks of the year.

It will be piloted from next September in the following areas:

Other areas will be added as the scheme continues.

The pilot was announced earlier today by Communities and Children Secretary Carl Sargeant.

The free childcare scheme was one of the objectives of the Welsh Government's five-year plan, set out earlier this year.