Early Years Providers in Wales Given Permanent Business Rates Relief

Early Years Providers in Wales Given Permanent Business Rates Relief

The Welsh Government has made the 100% small business rates relief for registered childcare settings permanent, as announced by Dawn Bowden, the minister for children and social care. Since 2019, registered early years premises in Wales have benefited from full business rates relief on a temporary basis. This new decision ensures the relief will now continue indefinitely.

The move is expected to save the Welsh early years sector £3.4 million annually. While nurseries and pre-schools have been exempt from business rates since 2019, concerns had grown within the sector about the potential reinstatement of these charges, which could have jeopardized the financial stability of many settings.

Research conducted earlier this year by NDNA Cymru revealed that 43% of responding nurseries would have faced closure if business rates were reinstated. This decision, therefore, represents a significant and positive step for the sustainability of early years provision in Wales.