We call on the Vale of Glamorgan Council to review and change its current implementation of free early years education placements for 3-4 year olds.

The Welsh Government guidance on free early years education provision states: "each local authority is expected to take into consideration the needs of children and their parents/carers and to put in place arrangements which ensure that as many families as possible are able to access the free provision"

1) We believe the current provision of 2.5 hours on 5 days a week does not meet Welsh Government guidance and does not adequately meet the needs of working parents and carers.

2) We believe that the current organisation of the free provision prevents many working parents and carers from accessing the free provision even with the most flexible full or part time working arrangements.

3) We ask that the provision be delivered in a way which is more accessible to working parents and carers so that the free provision can truly be accessible to as many families as possible.  We know that this provision is delivered more flexibly and successfully elsewhere in England and Wales where working parents and carers have much greater choice in when and where to access their child's free early years education placement.

4) We do not believe there are justifiable reasons for not delivering the early years allowance more flexibly in the Vale of Glamorgan.

5) We believe that any review of the organisation of free early years education placements for 3-4 year olds must provide direct and meaningful discussion with working parents and carers.

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