CEREDIGION has missed out on being named one of the areas that will trial a new scheme offering free childcare.

The pilot scheme from the Welsh Government will see 30 hours of childcare and free early education each week for children who are three or four.

While Ceredigion County Council lodged a joint bid with Carmarthenshire County Council to be one of the areas in the pilot, the announcement by Communities and Children Cabinet Secretary Carl Sargeant confirmed that the county had missed out.

Instead, the pilot scheme will be trialled from September 2017 in areas of Gwynedd, Anglesey, Flintshire, Swansea, Blaenau Gwent and Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Ceredigion AM Elin Jones said while she was disappointed that Ceredigion was not chosen for the trial, she said she was hopeful that the scheme would quickly lead to a Wales-wide system to benefit families.

Ms Jones said: “I’m disappointed that Ceredigion is not one of the official trial areas. Gwynedd and Ynys Mon have been selected as trial rural areas rather than west Wales.

“I’m hoping, however, to see quick progress on these trials so that Ceredigion families can benefit as soon as possible from the new initiative.”

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