Mike welcomes £19 million boost for Flying Start programme

News that the Welsh Government’s landmark Flying Start programme is to get extra funding worth £19 million to support its expansion has today been welcomed by Swansea East’s Assembly Member, Mike Hedges.

Earlier today, the Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, announced that the extra funding will come in addition to the £55 million already earmarked for the programme over the next three years.

This combined funding for Flying Start will go towards supporting the development of the facilities and infrastructure needed to deliver the programme’s expansion, which is likely to double the number of Welsh children benefitting from 18,000 to 36,000 by 2015.

The Flying Start programme is an early years scheme that was introduced by the Welsh Government in April 2007 to offer help and guidance to families with very young children living in Wales’ most deprived communities. The programme consists of free childcare, parenting support, intensive health visitor support and support for early language development.

Speaking on the news, Mike Hedges AM said:

“Today’s announcement is positive news for families throughout Swansea. Giving our children the best start in life is what every parent wants and the Flying Start programme has helped to deliver on just that.

“Since its introduction, the programme has already made a massive difference to thousands of young children and families throughout Swansea and I have no doubt that this extra funding will be put to good use so that even more families in Swansea can give their children a flying start in life.”

Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, said:

“Flying Start is starting to have a real, positive impact on children. When they go to school they are ready to learn and more confident at mixing with other children. Recent evidence shows that Flying Start parents report seeing positive changes in their child’s behaviour and that their confidence as a parent has increased.

“The increased investment is an exciting opportunity for us to build on all this good work. We can make a real difference for a much larger number of families and children.”