Funding has been secured for two Meirionnydd nurseries.

Over £500,000 has been allocated by the Welsh Government to develop childcare facilities in Tywyn and Bala.

Cllr Dilwyn Morgan, Gwynedd Council Cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Securing good, affordable childcare is one of the most important issues facing families. The new childcare offer for three and four-year olds means parents know that they can return to work safe in the knowledge that their child is in good hands.

“I am therefore delighted that the council’s bid for Welsh Government capital funding to pay towards ensuring a suitable space for a new childcare facility in Tywyn and Bala has been confirmed.

“Following £46,000 of funding secured earlier this year, a further £254,000 has recently been confirmed for Bala to relocate the Cylch Meithrin to a new site.

“Further work is required before the site is confirmed. We expect that construction work on the new Cylch Meithin site will get under way in the coming months, with the new location to open in 2020.

“We are also very pleased that £255,300 of funding has been secured to develop a new childcare facility on the Ysgol Penybryn site in Tywyn. Work is expected to get under way on this project this year, with the new childcare facility to be available for families next year.”

The investment is part of an additional £7.7 million allocated to support the delivery of the Childcare Offer as part of a suite of measures to support childcare provision, including 100 per cent business rate relief.

Regional Labour AM for Mid and West Wales Eluned Morgan, said: “The Welsh Government recognises the importance of making sure families can access childcare across the country. As a government we have been investing in new childcare settings so that parents have more options with a focus on improving standards."

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