THE THIRD phase of a Welsh Government childcare programme is set to be rolled out in Neath Port Talbot this year.
The expansion of Flying Start funded childcare for two- and three-year-olds across Neath Port Talbot county borough was approved unanimously at a cabinet meeting.
It comes after phase two of the programme was was agreed by members in January 2023 with phase three now focusing on the roll out of the “part-time high-quality childcare element of Flying Start” for two-year-olds in the borough from April 2025.
The Flying Start programme is a Welsh Government-backed project that offers funded childcare and other services to children under four years old in disadvantaged parts of Wales with the aim of supporting families and giving children a positive start in life.
It also includes resources such as an enhanced health visiting service, access to parenting support, and support for speech, language, and communication development.
The report read: “Phase three will focus on a continued phased rollout of the part-time high-quality childcare element of Flying Start to two-year-olds, from April 2025, working towards a universal offer for funded Flying Start childcare for all two-year olds within the six years of the plan timeline.”
Speaking at the meeting Councillor Nia Jenkins added: “This will be very welcomed by the community. Rolling out Flying Start is a priority for both the Welsh Government education minister and for us here and I’d like to thank everybody involved for bringing this together.”
