Across Wales, childminders are delivering something magical for families, opening their homes to create familiar and welcoming environments for children to thrive and grow, building trusting relationships and support networks. Children benefit from a unique childcare experience that is tailored and personal. In small, mixed-age groups they are supported to develop socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively in a nurturing home-like environment.

Childminders in Wales make an extraordinary contribution to children, families and communities every day. Through their warmth, skill and commitment, they provide nurturing, flexible and high-quality care that supports children’s learning, development and wellbeing, while offering families trusted childcare rooted in their own local communities.

Claire Protheroe, Head of Contracts and Projects for Coram PACEY said:

I am proud to present our National Strategy for Childminding in Wales, setting out how Coram PACEY Cymru can continue growing the ‘Magic of Childminding’ over the next 10 years. Developed by the Coram PACEY Cymru team in consultation with childminders, this strategy keeps children, families, childminders and communities at the heart of our work. Taking a strengths-based approach that is child centred, system aware, evidence informed and practical, it marks an intentional shift towards recognising the very best that childminders offer their communities, rather than viewing childminding only through the lens of challenge or decline.

The magic of childminding is already happening across Wales. We must now recognise it, value it, and invest in it so that the benefits of childminding can grow for generations to come.

At the time of creating this strategy, it is clear that the very essence of childminding — the flexibility, creativity and personalised care that the workforce brings to children, families and communities across Wales — has too often been lost. The childminding sector in Wales is in a precarious state of fragility. Many childminders, including those in disadvantaged areas, are facing closure due to rising operational costs, increased demands around regulatory requirements and inconsistent opportunities to deliver funded provision. In addition, barriers to becoming a childminder, including costs associated with training and registration, have prevented or deterred some individuals from becoming a childminder, contributing to the low number of new childminder registrations recorded.

Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) figures show that registered childminder numbers have fallen every year since 2018, with now only 1,377 in Wales and only 1,060 of these active. Childminders currently provide over 11,000 childcare places which equates to around 12% of the registered childcare places in Wales. This comes at a time when plans for funded childcare expansion, through Plaid Cymru commitments to develop a more generous, universal childcare offer for younger children, have been published. Without urgent action to stabilise and grow the childminding workforce, there is a risk that childminders will be unable to play their full part in delivering this expansion, particularly for families who need flexible, local and personalised provision. The decline in the number of registered childminders is likely to have a significant impact on childcare availability and accessibility, and threatens the statutory responsibility placed on local authorities to secure provision of childcare for children and families.

Progress has been slow on the areas crucial to positive change recommended by The Independent Review of Childminding, published in June 2023. A Childminding Review Recommendations Group Overview Panel and Working Groups were established by Welsh Government, bringing together key partners and stakeholders to consider the findings from the review and explore potential actions and timescales for each of the recommendations. In the two years since the publication of the review, the number of childminders in Wales has continued to decline at a significant rate. The number of childminders is impacted both by the number of registrations of new childminders and the cancellations of skilled and experienced childminders leaving the sector.

The findings of the Independent Review indicate that a passion for looking after children, alongside the opportunity to manage their own business, are key factors that have encouraged many individuals in Wales to choose childminding as their long-term career option. Greater support is needed for childminders, recognising their vital role and ensuring their contribution is valued, respected and visible across the wider childcare and early years sector.

This strategy builds on Coram PACEY’s The Magic of Childminding report, launched during Childminding Week 2026. The largest report of its kind, it brings together the real-life experiences, impact and voices of childminders, parents, children and sector experts, demonstrating the ‘Magic of Childminding’ in action across England and Wales. The report highlights the transformational impact of childminding on children, families and communities, and the urgent need for the Governments in England and Wales to support and grow the childminding workforce.

• Read the Strategy
• Action Plan 26-30

In line with the Strategy, Coram PACEY Cymru’s Childminding Charter for Wales invites partners, organisations and decision-makers to stand with childminders and commit to practical action that helps childminding thrive. By signing the Charter, partners show their support for a Wales where children, families, childminders and communities can all benefit from the Magic of Childminding.

Sign the Childminding Charter for Wales

Our 10-year goals for children, families, childminders and communities

Coram PACEY Cymru believes that, to bring about the change we want to see for childminders in Wales, we must also focus on the difference we want to bring about for children, families and communities.

Our 10-year goals describe the long-term difference we want this strategy to make for children, families, childminders and communities across Wales.

Together, they set out a shared vision for a stronger childminding sector that improves outcomes, widens choice and helps local communities thrive. These goals will guide our priorities, partnerships and actions, keeping the needs and experiences of children, families and childminders at the centre of change.

For more information about Coram PACEY Cymru and our work in Wales, please email cymru@corampacey.org.uk

Ledled Cymru, mae gwarchodwyr plant yn cynnig rhywbeth hudolus i deuluoedd, gan agor eu cartrefi i greu amgylcheddau cyfarwydd a chroesawgar lle gall plant ffynnu a thyfu, a meithrin perthnasoedd sy’n seiliedig ar ymddiriedaeth a rhwydweithiau cymorth.

Mae plant yn elwa ar brofiad gofal plant unigryw a phersonol sydd wedi’i deilwra i’w hanghenion. Mewn grwpiau bach o oedrannau cymysg, cânt eu cefnogi i ddatblygu’n gymdeithasol, yn emosiynol, yn gorfforol ac yn wybyddol mewn amgylchedd cartrefol a meithringar.

Mae gwarchodwyr plant yng Nghymru yn gwneud cyfraniad eithriadol i blant, teuluoedd a chymunedau bob dydd. Drwy eu caredigrwydd, eu medrusrwydd a’u hymrwymiad, maen nhw’n darparu gofal meithringar, hyblyg ac o ansawdd uchel sy’n cefnogi dysgu, datblygiad a lles plant, gan gynnig gofal plant y gall teuluoedd ymddiried ynddo, sydd wedi’i wreiddio yn eu cymunedau lleol.

Dywedodd Claire Protheroe, Pennaeth Cytundebau a Phrosiectau, Coram PACEY:

Rwy’n falch o gyflwyno ein Strategaeth Genedlaethol ar gyfer Gwarchod Plant yng Nghymru, gan nodi sut y gall Coram PACEY Cymru barhau i dyfu ‘Lledrith Gwarchod Plant’ dros y 10 mlynedd nesaf. Wedi’i ddatblygu gan dîm Coram PACEY Cymru mewn ymgynghoriad â gwarchodwyr plant, mae’r strategaeth hon yn cadw plant, teuluoedd, gwarchodwyr plant a chymunedau wrth wraidd ein gwaith. Gan fabwysiadu dull sy’n seiliedig ar gryfderau ac sy’n canolbwyntio ar y plentyn, yn ymwybodol o’r system, yn ymarferol ac ar sail tystiolaeth, mae’n nodi symudiad bwriadol tuag at gydnabod y gorau y mae gwarchodwyr plant yn ei gynnig i’w cymunedau, yn hytrach na gweld gwarchod plant drwy lens her neu ddirywiad yn unig.

Mae hud gofal plant eisoes ar waith ledled Cymru. Rhaid i ni bellach ei gydnabod, ei werthfawrogi a buddsoddi ynddo fel y gall manteision gwarchod plant dyfu er budd cenedlaethau’r dyfodol.

Fodd bynnag, ar adeg llunio’r strategaeth hon, mae’n amlwg bod hanfod gwarchod plant — yr hyblygrwydd, y creadigrwydd a’r gofal personol y mae’r gweithlu yn eu cynnig i blant, teuluoedd a chymunedau ledled Cymru — wedi cael ei golli’n rhy aml. Mae’r sector gwarchod plant yng Nghymru mewn cyflwr ansicr o fregusrwydd. Mae llawer o warchodwyr plant, gan gynnwys y rhai mewn ardaloedd difreintiedig, yn wynebu cau oherwydd costau gweithredu cynyddol, gofynion cynyddol o ran rheoleiddio a chyfleoedd anghyson i ddarparu darpariaeth wedi’i hariannu. Yn ogystal, mae rhwystrau i ddod yn warchodwr plant, gan gynnwys costau sy’n gysylltiedig â hyfforddiant a chofrestru, wedi atal neu rwystro rhai unigolion rhag dod yn warchodwr plant ac felly wedi cyfrannu at y nifer isel o gofrestriadau gwarchodwyr plant newydd a gofnodwyd.

Mae ffigurau Arolygiaeth Gofal Cymru (AGC) yn dangos bod nifer y gwarchodwyr plant cofrestredig wedi gostwng bob blwyddyn ers 2018, gyda dim ond 1,377 yng Nghymru bellach a dim ond 1,060 o’r rhain yn weithredol. Ar hyn o bryd mae gwarchodwyr plant yn darparu dros 11,000 o leoedd gofal plant sy’n cyfateb i tua 12% o’r lleoedd gofal plant cofrestredig yng Nghymru. Daw hyn ar adeg pan fo cynlluniau ar gyfer ehangu gofal plant wedi’i ariannu, trwy ymrwymiadau Plaid Cymru i ddatblygu cynnig gofal plant mwy hael a chyffredinol i blant iau, wedi’u cyhoeddi. Heb gamau brys i sefydlogi a thyfu’r gweithlu gwarchod plant, mae risg na fydd gwarchodwyr plant yn gallu chwarae eu rhan lawn wrth gyflawni’r ehangu hwn, yn enwedig i deuluoedd sydd angen darpariaeth hyblyg, leol a phersonol. Mae’n debygol y bydd y gostyngiad yn nifer y gwarchodwyr plant cofrestredig yn cael effaith sylweddol ar argaeledd a hygyrchedd gofal plant, ac yn bygwth y cyfrifoldeb statudol a roddir ar awdurdodau lleol i sicrhau darpariaeth gofal plant i blant a theuluoedd.

Mae cynnydd wedi bod yn araf yn y meysydd sy’n hanfodol i newid cadarnhaol a argymhellwyd gan yr Adolygiad Annibynnol o Warchod Plant a gyhoeddwyd ym mis Mehefin 2023. Sefydlodd Llywodraeth Cymru Banel Trosolwg Grŵp Argymhellion a Gweithgor yr Adolygiad o Warchod Plant, gan ddod â phartneriaid a rhanddeiliaid allweddol ynghyd i ystyried canfyddiadau’r adolygiad ac archwilio camau gweithredu posibl ac amserlenni ar gyfer pob un o’r argymhellion. Yn y ddwy flynedd ers cyhoeddi’r adroddiad mae nifer y gwarchodwyr plant yng Nghymru wedi parhau i ostwng ar gyfradd sylweddol. Mae nifer y gwarchodwyr plant yn cael ei effeithio gan nifer y gwarchodwyr plant newydd sy’n cofrestru, yn ogystal â nifer y gwarchodwyr plant medrus a phrofiadol sy’n canslo eu cofrestriad ac yn gadael y sector.

Mae canfyddiadau’r Adolygiad Annibynnol yn dangos bod angerdd dros ofalu am blant, ochr yn ochr â’r cyfle i reoli eu busnes eu hunain, yn ffactorau allweddol sydd wedi annog llawer o unigolion yng Nghymru i ddewis gwarchod plant fel eu hopsiwn gyrfa hirdymor. Mae angen mwy o gymorth ar warchodwyr plant, gan gydnabod eu rôl hanfodol a sicrhau bod eu cyfraniad yn cael ei werthfawrogi, ei barchu a’i weld yn glir ar draws y sector gofal plant a’r blynyddoedd cynnar ehangach.

Mae’r strategaeth hon yn adeiladu ar adroddiad Coram PACEY, Lledrith Gwarchod Plant, a lansiwyd yn ystod Wythnos Gwarchod Plant 2026. Yr adroddiad mwyaf o’i fath, mae’n dwyn ynghyd brofiadau bywyd go iawn, effaith a lleisiau gwarchodwyr plant, rhieni, plant ac arbenigwyr yn y sector, gan ddangos ‘Lledrith Gwarchod Plant’ ar waith ledled Cymru a Lloegr. Mae’r adroddiad yn tynnu sylw at effaith drawsnewidiol gwarchod plant ar blant, teuluoedd a chymunedau, a’r angen brys i Lywodraethau yng Nghymru a Lloegr gefnogi a thyfu’r gweithlu gwarchod plant.

• Darllenwch y strategaeth
• Cynllun Gwaith 26-30

Yn unol â’r Strategaeth, mae Siarter Gwarchod Plant Cymru Coram PACEY Cymru yn gwahodd partneriaid, sefydliadau a llunwyr penderfyniadau i sefyll ochr yn ochr â gwarchodwyr plant ac ymrwymo i gamau ymarferol sy’n helpu gwarchod plant i ffynnu. Drwy lofnodi’r Siarter, mae partneriaid yn dangos eu cefnogaeth i Gymru lle gall plant, teuluoedd, gwarchodwyr plant a chymunedau i gyd elwa ar ‘Lledrith Gwarchod Plant’.

Llofnodwch Siarter Gwarchod Plant Cymru

Ein Nodau 10 Mlynedd ar gyfer Plant, Teuluoedd, Gwarchodwyr Plant a Chymunedau

Mae Coram PACEY Cymru, yn credu, er mwyn sicrhau’r newid yr ydym am ei weld i warchodwyr plant yng Nghymru, fod yn rhaid i ni hefyd ganolbwyntio ar y gwahaniaeth yr ydym am ei wneud i blant, teuluoedd a chymunedau.

Mae ein nodau ar gyfer y 10 mlynedd nesaf yn disgrifio’r gwahaniaeth hirdymor rydym am i’r strategaeth hon ei wneud i blant, teuluoedd, gwarchodwyr plant a chymunedau ledled Cymru.

Gyda’i gilydd, maent yn nodi gweledigaeth gyffredin ar gyfer sector gwarchod plant cryfach sy’n gwella canlyniadau, yn ehangu dewis ac yn helpu cymunedau lleol i ffynnu. Byddant yn llywio ein blaenoriaethau, ein partneriaethau a’n camau gweithredu, gan sicrhau bod anghenion a phrofiadau plant, teuluoedd a gwarchodwyr plant wrth wraidd y newid.

Am ragor o wybodaeth am Coram PACEY Cymru a’n gwaith yng Nghymru, e-bostiwch cymru@corampacey.org.uk.