Julie Morgan, AS Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
I am pleased to announce a grant award of just over £5.2 million of Welsh Government capital funding to 70 Flying Start projects across Wales to help improve, develop or extend the settings in which Flying Start provision takes place.
This funding represents a significant, continued investment in the infrastructure of our flagship early years programme and will enable Local Authorities to create new facilities, make building improvements and to carry out essential repair work. The grant will also support Flying Start services to become more Covid-secure during 2021-2022 by funding the necessary capital resources required to support social distancing, to create better access and to aid virtual communication with children and families.
This additional funding brings our total capital investment in Flying Start to nearly £76m since 2006.
Flying Start supports families living in some of the most disadvantaged communities across Wales. It offers twelve and a half hours of high quality fully funded childcare a week for 2-3 year olds; support for the development of children’s speech, language and communication; parenting support; and an enhanced health visitor service.
Funding is awarded to the 19 Local Authorities in Wales who applied for the grant this year.
I look forward to seeing the developments take shape and help support delivery of services for children and families in the areas Flying Start serves.