Childcare providers in Wales are facing potential closures due to rising costs and insufficient financial aid from the Welsh government. A survey revealed that 91% of nurseries expect to make a loss or just break even this year. Business owners like Ellis Jenkins and Lisa Owen highlight significant increases in operational costs, including wages and utilities, urging the government to raise the childcare funding rate to £8.80 per hour. They argue that investing in early years education benefits both children and the wider Welsh economy.

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