In Merthyr Tydfil, all two-year-olds become eligible for complementary Flying Start childcare services now.
Welsh Government Invests £25m in Expanding Flying Start Childcare
The Welsh Government has announced an investment of £25 million this year to expand Flying Start childcare, bringing the total budget for growing high-quality childcare in Wales to over £150 million. This expansion is expected to make a significant difference to the outcomes of thousands of children across Wales.
First Minister, Eluned Morgan, stated that high-quality childcare has a positive impact on children's development, health, and life chances. She emphasised that this investment is a crucial step towards giving every child in Wales the best possible start in life.
Louise Minett-Vokes, Cabinet Member for Social Services at Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, expressed her gratitude for the investment, calling it a tremendous milestone for the community in Merthyr Tydfil. She stated that this investment has created a comprehensive support system that nurtures children's potential from the earliest stages.
Flying Start provides fully funded, high-quality childcare for two-and-a-half hours a day, five days a week. This year, over 4,000 more children across Wales are expected to benefit from this service. The expansion of Flying Start childcare is great news for families in Merthyr Tydfil, as stated by Louise Minett-Vokes.
All 24 childcare providers across Merthyr Tydfil have been approved to accept Flying Start children. The additional funding will create greater opportunities for more children to learn Welsh from an early age.
Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden, also commented on the positive impact of high-quality childcare. She highlighted that high-quality childcare supports children's learning, growth, and development during their crucial early years.
The Welsh Government's commitment to high-quality childcare doesn't end here. A budget deal between the Welsh Government and Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, resulted in an additional £30 million for childcare in 2025 to 2026. However, the political party that agreed with the Welsh Government on this additional funding is not specified in the provided search results.
This significant expansion for two-year-olds is part of a wider package of investment in the early years. The Welsh Government's investment in high-quality childcare is a testament to their belief that every child deserves the best possible start in life. The expansion of Flying Start childcare brings Wales closer to universal childcare for all two-year-olds.
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