The Council has secured an additional £122,000 from the Childcare Offer Small Capital Grant Scheme, which will be targeted to help local childcare providers adapt to new circumstances brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funded by Welsh Government, the Scheme was initially set up to enable childcare settings to undertake essential capital works or buy equipment – in order to increase the number of Childcare Offer places they can support or to improve the quality of their facilities. The Council was initially granted £120,000 in 2019/20, and the majority of this sum was allocated to childcare settings at that time.
In this latest round, 31 settings were successful in obtaining a share of the £165,000 total funding, which also comprises the remainder of the Council’s 2019/20 allocation.
Examples of how the latest funding is being used includes utilising existing outdoor facilities, developing childcare spaces, extending toilet facilities and replacing carpet with washable flooring. The 31 providers include six settings in the Rhondda, eight in the Cynon Valley and 17 in the Taff area.
Councillor Joy Rosser, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Inclusion Services, said: “The Council has welcomed this important recent funding, which brings our total allocation from the Childcare Offer Small Capital Grant Scheme to £242,000 since 2019/20. The latest £122,000 allocation from Welsh Government is specifically targeted at helping childcare settings operate during this very difficult time.
“Like so many other groups, organisations and businesses across our society, childcare providers have had to make important changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic – adhering to guidance which has been put in place to ensure they can operate as safely as possible. A high number of applications were received for additional support via the latest funding, and I’m pleased that the Council has announced that 31 applications were successful.
“The funding will be put forward for specific use in response to the pandemic and to operate in a COVID-friendly way. These range from successful requests for awnings, gazebos, safety play surfaces, garden works, play equipment and storage – all to better utilise outdoor space. Funding awards for internal work includes creating new spaces, refurbishing and extending existing facilities and new measures to comply with strict cleaning guidelines.”
Posted on 15/01/2021