Free childcare scheme to expand across Swansea says council

The scheme provides up to 12.5 hours of funded childcare per week during term time for two‑ and three‑year‑olds. Places are available through school‑based nurseries, private providers, Welsh‑medium cylchs and registered childminders.

What Flying Start actually offers

Flying Start is essentially a package of early‑years support. For parents, the most immediate benefit is the free childcare hours, which can help reduce costs while giving toddlers structured play and learning before school. Alongside childcare, families are offered extra contact with health visitors, advice on parenting, and help with children’s speech and language development. The idea is to combine practical childcare with wider support for families during the crucial early years.

Council welcomes completion of rollout

Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Alyson Anthony, said the funding was intended to “give young children the best possible start in life” and urged parents to take advantage of the offer.

Council leader Rob Stewart said the rollout meant “all parents and carers can now apply for Flying Start childcare,” regardless of where they live in Swansea. He noted the scheme is available in both Welsh and English settings and thanked Welsh Government for funding the initiative, which he said would “make a real difference to young children and their families.”

How to apply

Applications can be made online via Swansea Council’s eligibility tool. Parents and carers can also contact the Family Information Service on 01792 517222 or by emailing Fis@swansea.gov.uk for further guidance.

#childcare #childminder #cllrAlysonAnthony #cllrRobStewart #cylch #earlyYears #familyInformationService #flyingStart #healthVisitor #swansea #swanseaCouncil #toddler

#MutinyInHeaven: #TheBirthdayParty - #NickCave's #EarlyYears: "Es gibt wohl kaum einen besseren Weg, sich dem jungen Nick ­Cave 🎤 und der wilden Zeit der Poplegende anzunähern." (epd-film)

📺 Die Boxen im #Heimkino laut aufdrehen mit myfilm.ch: https://www.myfilm.ch/asset/mutinyinheaven

“Children are not things to be moulded, but people to be unfolded.” — Jess Lair 🌼
At KatieB Kids, we believe every child’s journey is beautifully unique. Our role is to nurture curiosity, celebrate individuality, and provide the space for each personality to bloom in its own time.

#KatieBKids #EarlyYears #ReggioInspired #ChildLedLearning #NurturingGrowth #CuriosityAndWonder

🌿 “Children learn more from your calm than your words; when we slow down and notice the world with them, we teach them how to be present.” ✨

At KatieB Kids, mindfulness isn’t just explored in our 'dots' sessions, it’s woven into everyday moments. From watching raindrops on the fence to feeling the crunch of leaves underfoot, we model calm curiosity and help children develop emotional balance, focus, and joy in the here and now.

#mindfulness #earlyyears #reggioemilia #reggioapproach

🌍💚 World Mental Health Day 💚🌍
At KatieB Kids, we believe every day is an opportunity to nurture children’s minds.
Through play, story, relationships, and calm environments, we help children grow in emotional literacy, resilience, and confidence; building strong foundations for lifelong wellbeing. 🌱

#WorldMentalHealthDay #EarlyYears #ChildrensMentalHealth #EmotionalLiteracy

As a lot of you will know, we are so lucky to have our very own 'Nursery Knitting Nana'! This week she has gifted us a beautiful hand-crocheted bird mobile, now swaying gently above our babies as they play and rest. 🐦💛
Her creations bring love, comfort, and a little bit of magic into our nursery- thank you, Knitting Nana! 🌸

#earlyyears #enrichingenvironment #enablingenvironment

#TheMetalDogArticleList
#Blabbermouth
STEPHEN PEARCY Reflects On RATT's Early Years: 'I Was A Hustler, And It Worked'

https://blabbermouth.net/news/stephen-pearcy-reflects-on-ratts-early-years-i-was-a-hustler-and-it-worked

#STEPHENPEARCY #RATT #ReflectsOn #EarlyYears #EP #interview #guitarist #Blabbermouth #metal #music

This online magazine has an excellent 1-page article on air quality in Early Years settings. Why it's important, why it's advantageous for businesses to take seriously, what you can do. From Anne McConway.

(Caveat, I don't think the format will work for screen readers. It's one of those where they try to make it look like a paper magazine, with arrows to "turn pages". On the other hand, if the page could be printed out, it could work well for showing to colleagues.)

https://cdn.teachwire.net/e-mag/test/Teach-Early-Years-Issue-14.2/61/

#AirQuality #EarlyYears #CleanAir #children #covid #CovidIsntOver