The announcement states that 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. Flying Start helps families with children under 4 years old in disadvantaged areas of Wales. Help available includes funded high quality, part-time (12.5 hours a week) childcare for 2–3-year-olds, enhanced health visiting services, access to parenting support and support for Speech, Language and Communication development.
Early Years Wales welcomes this announcement, as high quality childcare is incredibly important in supporting the development of young children. Early Years settings provide children with access to crucial play opportunities, serve and return interactions with practitioners which are tailored to their needs and positive learning experiences which form the vital building blocks of a child's developing brain.
Leo Holmes, Head of Policy and Advocacy for Early Years Wales, said:
"This is a really positive announcement which is a clear indication from the Welsh Government about their direction of travel in the supporting and enhancing the value of childcare. It is important that the sector is supported through adequate funding and staffing in order to help deliver the new policy. We look forward to working with the Welsh Government in supporting children across Wales to access the vital developmental opportunities in which childcare provides."