Free family fun week

A week of free family fun and advice will be held next month to celebrate two decades of early years support.

There will be a teddy bear's picnic, beach day and party as part of the week at the Cwmbran Integrated Children's Centre, between Monday August 3 and Friday August 7.

It comes as Cwmbran Integrated Children's Centre marks its 20th anniversary, as well as 20 years of the Welsh Government's Flying Start programme, which provides free childcare for children in disadvantaged areas.  

In Torfaen, the Flying Start programme has also provided funding for enhanced health visitor and parenting support, and help with speech, language and communication development.  

Joanne Lane, from Cwmbran, whose family has benefited from the programme, said: "The support that I have received over the years from the Flying Start team has been invaluable.

"My son attended Chatterbox sessions when he was little to help develop his speech and communication skills and the free childminding support helped me to complete my Level 2 and 3 qualifications.

"Llongyfarchiadau to the team on 20 years making a positive difference to the children and families of Torfaen."

Emma Treadgold, Flying Start Manager, said: "One of the greatest privileges of working with Flying Start is seeing families grow over the years.

"We meet them as babies, watch them progress into school and then see them again as adults with their own children, which highlights the difference Flying Start has made across generations."

The week of celebrations coincides with National Breastfeeding Week and National Play Day. 

Early years staff will be on hand throughout the week to offer practical advice to families with pre-school children, including those preparing for nursery or starting school.

For more details of the week's activities, visit the Connect Torfaen website.

For information about early years support and getting ready for school, visit the Torfaen Family Information Service website.