Ely & Caerau Children's Centre is set to be transformed by
nearly £2m of Welsh Government funding to improve facilities and
increase childcare provision for local families.
First Minister made the announcement while
visiting the children's centre in Cardiff with Prime Minister
, as he launched the UK
Government's Child Poverty Strategy.
The investment will increase full-time childcare places from 85
to 105 and entirely remodel and refurbish the centre, creating a
new community room and a dedicated space for the expanded
childcare provision.
The centre is a trusted hub used by the local community which
provides support from key Welsh Government initiatives including
Flying Start and Families First.
First Minister said:
“It's a real privilege to announce this funding for the
Children's Centre here in Ely – the place where I grew up, and
the community that shaped who I am today.
“Growing up here, I realised at an early age that the different
paths people take in life aren't determined purely by ability,
but by opportunity and support. And that can make the difference
between a life of comfort and security, and one of insecurity,
and fear for your family's future.
“I hope the funding I have announced today will make a real
difference to the people who use the centre, providing more
high-quality childcare places so more children get a better start
in life.”
The Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr , said: “As a council, we warmly welcome this
Welsh Government investment, which strengthens Cardiff's
commitment to giving every child the best start in life.
“It allows us to not only maintain but to enhance our partnership
working with Cardiff's registered childcare providers to increase
high quality,
“Welsh-medium and English-medium childcare places and ensure that
the phased rollout of this offer ultimately benefits all
communities across the city.”
Notes to editors
- The funding is being provided through the Welsh Government's
Childcare and Early Years Capital Programme for 2025-2028, which
supports the expansion of high-quality, accessible childcare
provision across Wales.
- The children's centre provides the Welsh Government's
flagship Flying Start programme, where families are eligible for
funded high quality childcare for 12.5 hours a week for 2- to
3-year-olds and wider parenting support.
- It also offers both the Foundation learning and Childcare
elements of the Childcare Offer for Wales – enabling eligible
parents of 3 and 4 year olds to work or study through the
provision of a combined 30 hour a week funded support for 48
weeks of the year.
- The Ely & Caerau Children's Centre provides childcare in
both Welsh and English
- The refurbishment is due to be completed by March 2028 and
forms part of Cardiff Council's wider plans to create a Wellbeing
Village on the former Michaelston College site. The children's
centre scheme is a central element of the local authority's wider
Ely regeneration project, delivering 265 new homes through the
Cardiff Living housing development programme, and creating new
facilities for all ages, in the heart of the local community.
- Cardiff Council will receive the funding across three
financial years from 2025-26 to 2027-28.
