An extra £140m for early years provision

An extra £140m for early years provision has been promised in the Welsh Assembly Government's three-year draft budget, with £67m for early education and the remainder for improving children's health services. Extra money will be given to integrated centres which provide access to early years education, wraparound childcare and training, to meet the Government's aim of building at least one centre in each local educational authority. The budget also includes plans to pilot free, healthy breakfast provision for primary school children in Community First areas in nine local authorities. A free part-time nursery place is now available for all three-year-olds.