Flying Start

Answer. Welsh Government are committed to delivering a phased expansion of early years provision to include all two-year-olds. Phase 1 of the expansion of Flying Start, was launched in September 2022 and included all four elements of the Flying Start programme, enhanced Health Visiting, support for speech, language and communication, parenting support, and high-quality childcare.

Phase 2, from April 2023, focuses on a phased roll out of the part-time, high-quality childcare element of Flying Start to 2–3-year-olds. Phase 3 will scope what may be required to move to universal Flying Start for all children across Wales. Welsh Government have not yet confirmed when this is likely to commence.

Flying Start Childcare is a maximum of 12.5 hours per week, during term-time only.

High quality part time Flying Start childcare sessions focus on improving the outcomes for children and to support their transition into early education and beyond. To achieve maximum benefit, sessions should be 2½ hours per day up to 5 days a week.

In order to claim the Flying Start funding, your child must attend for at least three sessions per week. 

The funded childcare is only available at approved Flying Start childcare settings who have met the required quality criteria.

If you are using, or wish to use, a childcare provider who is not contracted by us to provide Flying Start childcare, you must decide whether to continue with that provider and not receive the funding or to use an alternative provider that is contracted to provide Flying Start.

From the time a child starts to become mobile, keeping them entertained can be difficult.

Flying Start childcare provides well thought out, age-appropriate activities for your child that focus on developing their gross and fine motor skills.

The use of indoor and outdoor spaces offers opportunities for running, jumping and climbing alongside cutting, gluing, painting and moulding.

These are strength-building skills that are important stepping stones in your child’s journey to becoming a competent writer when they start school.

Eighty percent of all brain development occurs in the first few years of life and exposure to varied and creative experiences significantly enhances your little one’s development.

Having the opportunity to play using open-ended resources allows children to think creatively, develop their own ideas and solve problems – all vital skills for their future success.

Interactions with staff during exploratory and imaginative play also supports speech and vocabulary development.

Attending Flying Start childcare helps your child to cope with new situations and adapt to change. Research shows that separation from a parent or main caregiver can cause a child stress.

At childcare, children get to test separation from their parent over time, whilst being supported by more favourable adult to child ratios than is possible in a school environment.

Improved emotional development will help your child better manage the transition to Primary school.

The routines and activities on offer at Flying Start childcare are deliberately designed to encourage independence and help build confidence and self-esteem

Spending time at childcare strengthens the relationship between you and your child because it creates a shared experience.

You will enjoy seeing your child grow and develop more in confidence as they become more familiar in the Flying Start setting and there will be opportunities for you to get involved in their learning journey.

Our childcare settings are also fantastic places for you to meet other parents. To know you are not alone, having a network of people to talk to, ask advice of and make friends with can be hugely supportive.