Today (18th May), the Deputy Minister for Social Services has published a written statement launching the publication of the refreshed National Minimum Standards (NMS) for regulated childcare.

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The public consultation into the NMS reported its summary of response earlier this year and welcomed many of the proposals put forward. These have been summarised in the Important Changes to the NMS section of the NMS guidance.

The majority of the changes were made in response to the 2019 NMS review report and its recommendations, and Welsh Government hopes the changes will be of benefit to providers. For example, WG has revised the standards to allow a percentage of staff “working towards qualifications” to be included into staff ratios. This may help ease staffing and recruitment concerns. Where we have increased the requirement for Paediatric First Aid and safeguarding training, this can provide reassurance to staff and parents of high quality provision.

Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) have informed all registered childcare and play providers in Wales about the updated guidance.