The Welsh Government said that nurseries and other childcare settings can remain open, but they need to take measures to protect children and staff from coronavirus.
All of Wales has been in lockdown, at alert level 4, since midnight on 19 December, (with some special rules that applied for Christmas Day only).
Explaining the rationale behind early years settings remaining open, a spokesperson said that cases in young children remained low and the situation was being monitored.
A Welsh Government spokesman said, ‘While the rates of coronavirus in Wales remain high, cases in children under five continue to be relatively low.
‘Our childcare providers have worked hard to ensure settings such as nurseries are safe, with low numbers of children on site.
‘We will continue to monitor the data, taking decisions as and when necessary to manage the virus.’
Childcare services will still be allowed to open, including day care, childminding, sessional, crèche, out of school/holiday provision and Flying Start provision. Nannies can also continue to provide childcare. Full or half day activity camps used as childcare can also remain open during school holidays.
Children can also continue to attend staffed playwork provision, such as open access play sessions.
All childcare and playwork providers, including Flying Start childcare, can remain open and offer their normal services, including provision through the school holidays. This includes childcare and playwork providers operating from school sites, community centres, places of worship, leisure centres and sports venues.
The Welsh Government's education minister Kirsty Williams confirmed on Monday that reopening schools would be delayed until at least 18 January.
Previously, the intention had been to gradually reopen schools from 6 January, with nearly all schools set to have reopened by 11 January.
Ms Williams said, ‘Schools and colleges will remain open for children of critical workers and vulnerable learners, as well as for learners who need to complete essential exams or assessments...
‘But it is now clear that a national approach of online learning for the next fortnight is the best way to contribute to reducing the transmission of coronavirus.’
