More families access free childcare through Flying Start
To date, more than 10,000 children have benefited from the scheme, surpassing the goal of reaching 9,500 additional children.
Dawn Bowden, minister for children and social care, said: "This significant expansion has exceeded our targets, bringing quality early years support to thousands more children.
"High quality early years provision helps to maximise child development outcomes and supports the best start in life.
"I'm immensely proud of our Flying Start workforce for making this possible as we work towards universal childcare for all two-year-olds."
Over the past two years, more than 13,400 children and families have been offered places, with 80 per cent taking up the offer in 2024-25.
Flying Start offers 12.5 hours of free, high-quality childcare each week for eligible two-year-olds.
The Welsh Government has invested an additional £25 million this year to expand the programme further, with a third phase expected to reach more than 4,000 additional children across Wales.
The scheme also supports the government's goal of reaching one million Welsh speakers by 2050, with more than 2,000 places in phase two taken up at Welsh-medium settings.
Mark Drakeford, cabinet secretary for finance and Welsh language, said: "It's encouraging to see more families choosing Welsh-medium childcare."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business News Wales
3 hours ago
- Business News Wales
AberInnovation Joins Welsh Government Backed Helix Programme
AberInnovation, the innovation and enterprise campus at Aberystwyth University, has officially joined the Helix Programme – a Welsh Government-supported initiative helping food and drink businesses across Wales innovate, grow, and thrive. As a newly appointed delivery partner, AberInnovation will lead the connectivity between food and drink innovation and the academic sector in Wales and the provision of the programme's Proof of Concept Plan, designed to support the early stages of product and process innovation. The Helix Programme is a collaborative effort bringing together the expertise of four key partners: AberInnovation, ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre at Cardiff Metropolitan University, Food Centre Wales in Ceredigion, and Coleg Menai's Food Technology Centre in Llangefni. Rooted in the ambitions of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act, the Helix Programme aims to empower agrifood and drink businesses to boost productivity, champion sustainability, and deliver long-term value to communities and the Welsh economy. AberInnovation's Proof of Concept Plan focuses on concept-driven support, helping businesses plan the requirements of validating innovative ideas, assess feasibility capabilities in Wales, and establish the technical groundwork for future development. This offer is particularly valuable for entrepreneurs and start up companies working on ingredient innovation, novel foods, or natural product development. 'We're delighted to bring our unique expertise to the Helix Programme,' said Dr Rhian Hayward MBE, CEO of AberInnovation. 'Our role is to help entrepreneurs and businesses move confidently from idea to impact, with structured, expert-led support that de-risks innovation and sets them up for long-term success. AberInnovation is delighted to join with the partners to compliment the already substantial capabilities and support on offer in Wales for food and drink innovation.' Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change & Rural Affairs Huw Irranca-Davies said: 'I'm delighted to see AberInnovation joining the Helix Programme as we continue to strengthen Wales' position as a leader in food and drink innovation. This partnership brings together some of our finest academic institutions and innovation centres to support businesses at every stage of their journey, from ambitious start-ups to established producers looking to break new ground. 'The Helix Programme perfectly embodies our commitment to building a more prosperous and sustainable Wales. By connecting cutting-edge research with real-world business challenges, we're helping Welsh food and drink companies develop the innovative solutions that will drive productivity, create jobs, and position Wales at the forefront of the global food revolution. 'With AberInnovation's expertise in early-stage innovation now complementing the existing strengths of our Helix partners, we're creating an ecosystem where great Welsh ideas can flourish. This is exactly the kind of collaborative approach that will help us deliver on our economic missions whilst staying true to the principles of the Well-being of Future Generations Act.' This offer is open to companies of all sizes in Wales and across the food and drink supply chain – from start-ups and producers to established brands. To find out more or apply, visit here .
South Wales Argus
4 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Bakery with 10 flavours of Welsh cakes opens in Caerphilly
Bethan Greenslade, 25, has opened Cwtch Bakes in Caerphilly's Ffos Caerffili container market, bringing a fresh twist to the traditional Welsh cake with more than 10 unique flavours. Ms Greenslade, who grew up in Cardiff, said: "Visitors really love the chocolate orange. "Obviously, the traditional Welsh cake is a top seller too, but visitors have really embraced the variety on offer." With nearly a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, she has worked as a waitress and barista across both chain and independent businesses. However, baking has been her passion since childhood, inspired by her mother and grandmother. She went on to study bakery at Cardiff and Vale College before enrolling at the University of South Wales in 2019 to pursue a business degree. Ms Greenslade said: "I went through multiple names, but I wanted something warm, comforting and Welsh. "I said Cwtch Bakes for the first time one day and didn't look back." The idea to set up shop in Caerphilly came during a visit to Ffos Caerffili last summer with her boyfriend, who encouraged her to take the leap. She said: "My boyfriend turned to me and said that I should be here, and I just thought, what are you waiting for?" Ms Greenslade credits her family and boyfriend for motivating her to take the next step. She said: "My family and boyfriend really encouraged me to go for it and played a massive part in me coming to Ffos." Within just her first week at the market, she has already received an order for wedding favours. She said: "I'm really loving life here, and I've already been approached for a wedding favour in my first week." Ms Greenslade joins a growing community of young businesswomen at Ffos Caerffili, including Bethan Davies of JoyHouse Creations, Rebecca Goad of Bonnie's focaccia sandwich brand, and Karen Lam of Karen L's Creation handmade jewellery. Cwtch Bakes is located at Unit 10 in Ffos Caerffili and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm, and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. For more information about business opportunities at Ffos Caerffili, contact management at hello@
Leader Live
9 hours ago
- Leader Live
Former Dragons Rest Cafe off A55 facing demolition
The Dragon's Rest Cafe off junction 31 of the A55 in Lloc, near Holywell, closed down in 2023 and has been empty ever since. Now a screening request – a pre-application check to see if developers need to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment for their planning application – has been submitted to Flintshire County Council. It details plans to knock down the Dragon's Rest and build a brand new petrol station on the site. Sign up to our newsletters to get the latest stories sent straight to your inbox. A traditional welsh stone-built structure with a slate roof featuring a bright red Welsh Dragon and the word cafe whitewashed on it, the family-run Dragon's Rest was for many years a popular stop for tourists on their way to Snowdonia or Anglesey and a meeting place for motorbike and car enthusiasts, offering an initial glimpse of the Clwydian Range. Famed for its homemade cakes and hearty breakfasts made with local produce, it was also a great place to grab a memento of your time in North Wales thanks to its gift shop. It even partnered with neighbouring businesses to offer customers a car valet to send them on their way sparkling. 'Love this place,' wrote one regular Sharon Pugh on the Dragon's Rest's Google reviews. 'Their breakfasts are amazing. We always stop here on way to Llandudno and have a breakfast.' Read more Another regular visitor Neil Roberts wrote: 'I always stop here on the way to Colwyn Bay. Excellent steak and Guinness pie when it's on the specials.' But after closing its doors for the final time two years ago the site has been deserted. Now Rhyl-based Longacres Filling Station Ltd has detailed plans to level the building and replace it with a modern petrol filling station and shop with small cafe area and 39 parking spaces, including 10 electric vehicle charging points. Officers are expected to issue a screening opinion on the proposals by September 17.
