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, 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.

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.

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 [email protected] for further guidance.

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Great to join @MKLabour this #FlyingStart weekend for the launch of their local election campaign, wth @WesStreeting & @emilydarlington.

It was clear on the streets of Olney that Labour campaigner Cllr Debbie Whitworth and @chriscurtis94 have lots of support.

#LabourDoorstep 🌹

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/AnnelieseDodds/status/1642252391633285123