, Minister for Children and
Social Care: We are today publishing the Early Childhood Play,
Learning and Care (ECPLC): Assessment Arrangements for 0-3-year
olds in Wales to support our practitioners in delivering
high-quality Early Childhood Play, Learning and Care (ECPLC) in
Wales.
Child development is at the heart of our early childhood play,
learning and care policies and provision.
The Early Childhood Play, Learning and Care (ECPLC): Assessment
Arrangements for 0-3-year olds in Wales is designed to support
the development, learning and well-being of all babies and young
children from birth to age three. It values each baby and young
child's unique identity, background and experiences, and
encourages practitioners to take a holistic, responsive approach
to development, learning and care.
This guidance document aligns with the National Minimum Standards
for Regulated Childcare in Wales, Flying Start
provision and the Curriculum for Wales.
This resource should be used alongside other ECPLC resources to
help practitioners with their assessments and observations which
are responsive to babies and young children's developing needs
and interests.
We want to thank all those involved in the development of this
resource, which have been produced by practitioners for
practitioners.
This resource will remain in draft for the next year as we engage
with the widest possible range of practitioners. We intend to
publish final versions in September 2026.
This statement is being issued during recess to keep Members
informed. Should Members wish me to make a further statement or
to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be
happy to do so.
