FREE childcare will be available to working parents of three and four-year-olds across Ceredigion from September.

The county is one of seven local authority areas to be included in the latest announcement by Welsh Government that brings the total number of areas where it is available to 14 out of 22 counties.

It is not yet available in Pembrokeshire or Carmarthenshire but it is hoped it will be rolled out in all of Wales by September 2020. The offer is expected to be delivered in at least some parts of most local authorities by September 2019.

The 30 hours per week will be available all year round from September.

Minister for Children, Older People and Social Care, Huw Irranca-Davies called the move "ground-breaking" and said it would help more parents take up employment.

Mr Irranca-Davies said: "Our ground-breaking childcare offer is making a real difference to parents right across Wales, reducing the strain on family income and helping ensure childcare is not a barrier to them taking up employment or increasing their hours.”

Cllr Catrin Miles, cabinet member responsible for learning services said: “The roll-out of the childcare offer in Ceredigion is fantastic news for working parents. The cost of childcare is a burden for families especially in Ceredigion where wages are lower compared to other parts of the country.

"The benefit of having up to 20 hours of free childcare on top of the current foundation phase element will be of a great help. The council is working to put in place the arrangements necessary.”

Ceredigion has been classed as a ‘delivery authority’ and will also administer the scheme across Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Powys, which will follow suit next year.

A recent report to the council’s learning communities overview and scrutiny committee states that if 70 per cent of three to four-year-olds take up the childcare offer it would provide an economic boost of around £1.25million.

This includes payments to childcare providers for 48 weeks of the year as well as the scheme’s significant savings for parents.

The Welsh Government will pay £4.50 per hour per child, which is in line with current childcare costs in Ceredigion.

There has been a shortage of childcare places in the county and some may not be able to receive their full entitlement but the council has been working to increase the numbers.

“It is anticipated that the increased demand will increase further supply of childcare,” the report adds.

Carys Davies, childcare strategic manager, told the committee that funding to administer the scheme, coupled with its size, means two new jobs have been created at the county council.

“It’s a challenge because the timeline is so tight. We expect this to start from September and the intention is parents can start making applications to the scheme from mid-June.

“We’re going to have to move pretty quickly with this,” added Ms Davies.