All two-year-old children in Merthyr Tydfil can now access free
childcare, after the local authority became the first in Wales to
roll out the expansion of the Flying Start childcare programme
across its area.
The Welsh Government is investing an additional £25m this year to
expand Flying Start childcare, bringing Wales closer to universal
childcare for all two-year-olds. Flying Start provides fully
funded, high quality childcare for two-and-a-half hours a day,
five days a week.
High quality childcare supports children's learning, growth and
development during their crucial early years. All 24 childcare
providers across Merthyr Tydfil have been approved to accept
Flying Start children, helping drive quality improvements in
childcare across the borough.
First Minister, said:
“High quality childcare has a really positive impact on
children's development, health and life chances, helping towards
their future success. This year, we expect over 4,000 more
children across Wales to benefit from high quality Flying Start
childcare.
“This is great news for families in Merthyr Tydfil and shows our
commitment to giving every child in Wales the best possible start
in life.”
Minister for Children and Social Care, , added:
“This significant expansion for two-year-olds is part of a wider
package of investment in the early years. We are making an
additional £50m available for childcare this year, taking our
total budget to grow high quality childcare in Wales to more than
£150m.
“This additional funding will make a significant difference to
the outcomes of thousands of children across Wales, while also
creating greater opportunities for more children to learn Welsh
from an early age.”
£30m of additional funding for childcare in 2025-26 was the
result of the budget deal between the Welsh Government and , leader of the Welsh Liberal
Democrats.
