IN their new childcare offer, Welsh Conservatives have announced plans to pay grandparents up to £4,800 per year to provide childcare for their grandchildren.

Under the plans, parents will be able to choose between nominating a grandparent to look after their child, or to place their child in a traditional childcare placement with a registered childcare provider. Nominated grandparents will receive a Grandparent Childcare Payment of £200 per child per month for up to two children in a single household.

The Welsh Conservatives have also confirmed that they will also extend the offer of up to 30 hours of free childcare per week to working parents of children aged nine months to four years of age. At present, only parents of three- and four-year olds in Wales can access 30 hours of free childcare.

Announcing the policy, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Darren Millar MS said:

“At this election, I am committed to putting forward the most pro-family policy offer Wales has ever seen.

“After 27 years of failure, parents in Wales face the highest childcare costs in Britain. That must change.

“Our Welsh Conservative childcare offer recognises the vital role that grandparents play in delivering care for their grandchildren, extends access to more free childcare, and empowers parents to make the best choice for them and their family.

"These plans are affordable, deliverable, and will help to get Wales working.”

The news has been welcomed by childcare professionals and parents.

Endorsing the policy, Tiny Tots Day Nursery proprietor, Tina Jones MBE said:

“I am proud to endorse this pro-family childcare policy to provide support for hardworking families and give parents a choice between placing their children in a nursery or with a grandparent.

“Enhancing the free childcare offer to 30 hours is essential to correct the error of Wales suffering with the least generous support for parents in Britain.

“The Welsh Government received the money from the UK Government to extend their childcare offer but chose not to do so. The Welsh Conservatives are clearly the only party serious about this. That’s why I’m backing their plan.”

Executive Chair of National Day Nurseries Association, Purnima Tanuku CBE said:

“Any investment in early childhood play, learning and care has to be welcome as we know that investing early in our children improves their life chances and helps families work.

“Supporting parents and children will be welcome support for families while recognising the importance of nurseries in the implementation of childcare policy is essential.

“Nurseries are facing challenges implementing current policy with rising costs and ensuring they can recruit and retain the staff they need. A commitment to engage with the sector in the delivery of any new childcare offer is most welcome.”