The Community Focused Schools Childcare Pilot, a joint initiative between Torfaen County Borough Council, the Welsh Assembly government and Jobcentre Plus, aims to test whether a lack of affordable, accessible childcare is a significant barrier to work for lone parents on income support.
The 500,000 pilot, funded by the Assembly, will pay for up to 15 new breakfast and after-school facilities in schools across the county. The aim of the project is to help 100 lone parents and 100 unemployed parents to the workforce by March 2006.
Bill Hill, assistant director (lifelong learning) for Torfaen education authority, said, 'Grants will be given to schools that need to refurbish or adapt their premises in order to provide wraparound care. Voluntary sector providers who run holiday care and playgroup schemes will also get funding, and we will be giving grants to childminders to help them improve the safety of their homes and to buy play equipment.'
The council will also employ staff to work with single and unemployed parents to help them gain the confidence and skills they need to find jobs.
Education minister Jane Davidson said, 'Not only will it provide much-needed childcare to enable lone parents to go to work or take up training or education, it also fits well with the Welsh Assembly government's aim of schools providing community facilities.'
The scheme is part of a UK-wide initiative that will run until March 2006.
Local authorities in England are trying similar schemes for the Department of Work and Pensions called Extended Schools Childcare Pilots.