The Council is urging local childcare providers to apply for its latest round of Small Capital Grants funding now available in 2023/24. In total, £414,000 was invested in 56 improvement projects across Rhondda Cynon Taf last year.
The Childcare and Early Years Small Capital Grants Scheme launched in October 2022, with £414,000 funding available to allocate and deliver projects in 2022/23. The grant is designed to support registered childcare settings which operate in the County Borough to undertake small-scale essential works or purchase equipment – and 56 projects were subsequently delivered.
The grant intends to help to increase the number of Childcare Offer, Flying Start and Foundation Learning places at local settings, strengthen the Welsh Medium provision, and to improve the quality of facilities they offer to children.
The Council has now announced the details of its latest funding, with a total of £525,000 available for 2023/24. Registered childcare providers in the County Borough are encouraged to email RCTChildcareGrants@rctcbc.gov.uk for further information on the scheme and for details on how to apply.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Inclusion Services and the Welsh Language, said: “I’m very pleased that the Council’s latest Small Capital Grants Scheme for 2023/24 will invest more than half-a-million pounds in improvements to local childcare and Flying Start provisions. This is on top of the £414,000 of funding that was delivered last year, that helped 56 local providers carry out targeted projects.
“The funding will continue to help the local delivery of Welsh Government’s 30-hour Childcare Offer for Wales, by improving facilities provided at childcare settings in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Projects could range from upgrading spaces to revitalising unused areas, maximising outdoor spaces and buying equipment.
“I urge all interested local childcare providers to get in touch with the Council to find out more about the new round of funding, which has been made available for projects in 2023/24. An email address has been provided to let us know about your interest in the scheme, and to find out how to apply.”
Posted on 13/04/2023