Childcare support for families to be expanded

Posted on: Tuesday 9 August 2022
Flying start 4

A programme that supports families with young children living in deprived areas is being expanded.

The Flying Start scheme in Abersychan will be expanded from September, providing early years support to more than 140 children aged from birth to four years.

A separate plan to develop Flying Start provision in Blaenavon is also expected to mean that an additional 90 children will also be able to access the service.

Councillor Richard Clark, Torfaen Council's Executive Member for Education, said: "This is really exciting news for Torfaen and the rest of Wales, especially in times of great hardship. 

"We are looking forward to working with Welsh Government to roll out the Flying Start scheme and childcare for two year olds even further to more communities in Torfaen."

Flying Start is the Welsh Government's targeted Early Years programme for families with children under four years of age who live in some of the most disadvantaged areas of Wales. 

It aims to give children the best possible start in life by working with families from the antenatal period through to when they start school. 

Currently around 1,100 children and their families already access Flying Start support in Torfaen, which includes an enhanced health visiting service, antenatal classes, access to parenting groups and help to support children with speech, language and communication development.

The Flying Start service also offers playgroup and childcare places.

From September, families in Flying Start areas will be able to access 12.5 hours of funded childcare for children from the term after they turn two.

It's hoped funded childcare will be provided to all two and three year olds across the borough within the next few years.  

Families who live in one of the new Flying Start areas will be contacted by letter in the next couple of weeks. 

For information about help and support available to families across Torfaen, please contact the Torfaen Family Information Service on 0800 0196330.

Last Modified: 08/09/2022 Back to top