Can I begin by just refreshing Members' knowledge and recollection of the significant contribution that we're actually already making as a Government through the 10-year workforce plan published last year in terms of building exactly what the Member has requested, which is that additional capacity and capability across the childcare and play sector? That 10-year plan aims to professionalise the sector, create a highly skilled workforce capable of offering high-quality, flexible, affordable childcare. And in terms of investment in the skills and quality of the workforce, there is indeed a new suite of childcare qualifications being developed, ready for introduction in the later part of 2019, alongside the roll-out of the childcare offer. The apprenticeship programme, which provides part of this, will support providers and their workforce to access these qualifications.

But we've also been working already on new ways to encourage real diversity in the workforce. So, in partnership, for example, with the NDNA—the National Day Nurseries Association—we've run the Childcare Works project. I've seen it first-hand myself. It targets those who are currently economically inactive but who have the right skills and personal attributes to work with our young children. It has produced a number of successful outcomes, including job creation, and we're considering now going ahead with the second phase.

But I do also recognise the financial challenges the sector faces, and that's why we're prioritising investment into the sector. It's targeted at business support measures as well as skills, and it will help the sector to build its own capacity and capability, and one of the key drivers for this will be indeed the exemption of business rates for all registered day nurseries from next April. This exception will be for a period of three years, alongside the roll-out, supporting existing providers to become more established and to support new start-ups in local areas as we continue to roll out the childcare offer and roll out the expansion of the workforce.

But we do have to remember that the sector is a mixed economy; it's made up of private and third sector organisations, as well as some in the public sector. And the job creation, therefore, within the sector is dependent on a number of factors, and not all are within the gift of Welsh Ministers to influence or control.

But we will continue to monitor how these plans can be improved, to best support the sector to be able to take full advantage of this exciting childcare offer commitment. So, in light of the current and the planned activity by this Government to support and develop the workforce across what must be said is a very diverse sector, we will not be supporting the amendment.