The funding was awarded to Powys County Council to offer new opportunities for parents, carers and children to access a range of quality services in an integrated way.
The new centres will be based in Machynlleth, Welshpool and Ystradgynlais, and services across the largely rural county will be provided through networks.
ICCs bring together a range of services that support the needs of children and families by providing childcare, pre-school learning, family support, health promotion, open access play (free and supervised outdoor activities and sports), training and IT facilities for the community.
A new building will be erected at Machynlleth School to provide quality childcare facilities and a new outdoor play area, while Oldford School in Welshpool and Ystradgynlais Healthy Living Centre will be extended. The former will provide creche facilities, family support sessions and before- and after-school clubs, while the health centre will become part of a children's centre offering community access to childcare facilities and learning opportunities.
Louise Bell, senior childcare development officer at Powys County Council, said the centres were a 'virtual concept' and that many of the services would be provided through networks, which would integrate and extend existing children's services in a variety of locations.
'A lot of the services will be delivered between partner services through a network because there are organisations working in that area who are capable and because it's the most effective way of reaching isolated communities,' she said.
The centres build on the 23,500 out-of-school childcare places already funded in Wales with 14.3m from the Big Lottery Fund.
Tom Davies, a member of the fund's board, said, 'Supporting the building of ICCs is the latest initiative in complementing our aim to create quality childcare in the most disadvantaged areas in Wales. This programme allows us to give more parents access to childcare and to provide quality activities for young people.'
