ABERYSTWYTH, Aberaeron and Cardigan are in need of more childminders because parents in Aberystwyth are missing out on jobs, education or training as a result of the lack of childcare, a report has found.

The Ceredigion Childcare Sufficiency Assessment has identified problems with a lack of childminders across the county, but especially in three of the main towns, and has also warned that three Cylchoedd Meithrin are under threat in Tregaron, Synod Inn and Adpar.

It warns that the amount of regulations is putting many people off becoming childminders, with current providers saying they are finding it difficult to recruit staff.

Parents have also said that the cost of childcare is a major barrier to them.

Education Cabinet member Hag Harris said the challenges facing the childcare sector meant that the council needed to work with other bodies, including charities and providers, to ensure that more is done to ensure parents have access to suitable childcare.

Carys Davies, the childcare and family information service manager, said the assessment, which covers the period from 2017 to 2022, had identified a range of concerns including regulations on providers and staff and problems in Aberystwyth following the closure of a day nursery.

She said: “The amount of regulations discourages some from becoming childminders. We have seen a significant loss of childminders over the last 12 months."

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