The Flying Start programme where two-year-olds from more deprived areas of Wales benefit from 12 hours a week free childcare is set to expand. A further £10m investment in the scheme will mean an additional 2,200 children will benefit from Flying Start childcare in 2023-24.
At the moment Flying Start is only available to children aged two to three in the most disadvantaged parts of Wales and consists of free part-time childcare. The scheme is currently undergoing a phased expansion and will eventually be available to all two-year-olds in Wales.
Phase two will support over 4,500 more two-year-olds in Wales to access Flying Start childcare in 2023-24. In 2024-25, a further 5,200 two-year-olds will benefit from the scheme. A total of £46 million is being invested to expand Flying Start and there is a focus on improving Welsh-medium provision. Labour and Plaid had pledged to offer free childcare to all two-year-olds in Wales as part of their co-operation deal in the Senedd.
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On average, it costs parents £263.81 per week to send children under the age of two to nursery full time. Working parents can pay for tax-free childcare (for every £8, the government pays £2). There is also more help once a child turns three, where you can claim 30 hours childcare. Under Flying Start, children attend a childcare setting for 2.5 hours a day for free (12.5 hours a week).
Deputy Minister for Social Services Julie Morgan said: “Developing high quality support for children and families in the early years has been a long-standing priority for the Welsh Government. I am delighted to announce a further £10 million in 2023-24 to extend the reach of this important scheme which will enable more children to access high quality childcare.
“This additional funding will make a considerable difference to the lives and outcomes of thousands of children and their families across Wales and offer opportunities for more children to access Welsh Medium provision. High quality learning and care in early years supports child development and plays an important role in supporting school readiness and addressing the attainment gap, particularly for children facing the greatest challenges.”
Plaid Cymru Designated Member Siân Gwenllian said: “Investment in the early years is a game-changer to address inequality and give children the best start in life. This new funding is the latest step in achieving our joint commitment to expand funded childcare to all two-year-olds with a particular focus on providing and strengthening Welsh-medium childcare.
“This extra £10 million of funding is part of our phased approach to rolling out this commitment that will make a real difference to people’s lives. This is about providing accessible childcare, benefiting children and their families, making a real difference to lives across the country.”
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