Mastodawn

Swansea becomes second area in Wales to offer Flying Start childcare to all two‑year‑olds

The milestone was marked with a visit from Minister for Children and Social Care Dawn Bowden, who met staff, parents and children at Swansea Children’s Centre to see how the scheme is supporting families across the city.

Swansea reaches key milestone in national rollout

Flying Start provides two‑and‑a‑half hours of high‑quality childcare a day, five days a week, for eligible two‑year‑olds. Swansea’s completion of the rollout means every family in the city can now apply for a place, regardless of where they live.

The Welsh Government is investing an additional £25m this year to expand Flying Start childcare, as part of a wider commitment to move Wales closer to universal childcare for all two‑year‑olds.

A national evaluation published this week found families consistently praised Flying Start for helping children develop confidence, independence, social skills and school readiness.

Dawn Bowden joins children at a sand play activity during her visit to Swansea Children’s Centre as Flying Start becomes available to all two‑year‑olds.

Dawn Bowden, Welsh Government Minister for Children and Social Care, said the expansion was a major step forward:

“Our childcare programmes make a real difference for children and their families. Today’s announcement is a key milestone in Flying Start’s journey and means every family in Swansea with a two‑year‑old is now able to access high‑quality childcare provision.”

She said the Welsh Government had prioritised expanding the scheme in disadvantaged communities first, ensuring provision was sustainable before widening access.

More than 13,000 children offered places across Wales

Between 2023 and 2025, Flying Start exceeded its target of supporting 9,500 additional two‑year‑olds. More than 13,400 childcare places were offered across Wales, with over 10,000 children taking up a place.

The total Welsh Government budget for high‑quality childcare this year is more than £150m.

A child taking part in outdoor play at a Flying Start setting in Swansea, where the Minister met families and staff.Minister for Children and Social Care Dawn Bowden meets children during a visit to Swansea Children’s Centre to mark the city’s Flying Start expansion.

Swansea Council welcomes expansion

Cllr Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said the achievement was the result of close partnership working:

“We are very grateful to our colleagues in Welsh Government for funding this initiative which is making a real difference to young children and their families.

“I’m also proud that our team has worked hard to complete the roll‑out so no matter where you live in Swansea, all parents and carers can now apply for Flying Start childcare across a range of settings and through both the medium of Welsh and English.”

Families can find more information and apply for Flying Start childcare through Swansea Council’s website.

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Th3BFG 1d ago

I’m helping to plan a universal child care lobby day on Wednesday February 25th with New Yorkers United for Child Care and wanted to invite you all to join. Parents with kids in tow are going to rally and meet with legislators to make sure universal child care actually happens this year! NYUC will handle the travel, make sure we’re all trained and even provide lunch. It's a big commitment, but important to be there in person. Want to join? RSVP here: https://www.united4childcare.org/events/lobbyday #resist #childcare

CBC Sudbury 2d ago

Operators say staffing shortages are leaving northern Ontario childcare spaces empty, families waiting
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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/childcare-northern-ontario-staffing-shortages-child-care-wait-times-9.7075846?cmp=rss