Expanding early years provision to include all 2-year-olds, with a particular emphasis on strengthening Welsh-medium provision
The first phase of the expansion will include all four elements of the current Flying Start programme including childcare for those aged 2 to 3 years. Eligible families will be notified by their local Flying Start team by summer 2022.
Plans for the larger expansion of childcare via Flying Start will be announced in the autumn of 2022.
Once the Flying Start scheme has been fully rolled out, all families in Wales with children aged 2 to 3 years will be eligible for 12.5 hours of funded, high-quality childcare for 39 weeks of the year.
An additional £20 million in funding has been allocated over the next 3 years (2022-25) to support this expansion.
Guidance on the expansion of early years provision via Flying Start:
Phase One Guidance for Local Authorities to enable the expansion of early years provision from September 2022:
Phase Two Guidance for Local Authorities to enable the expansion of early years provision from October 2022:
Expansion of Early Years Funding Communication Briefing:
External web links
FAQs: Phased expansion of Early Years Provision | GOV.WALES
Written Statement: Delivering a phased expansion of early years provision (16 March 2022) | GOV.WALES
Press Release: Flying Start expanded in Wales | GOV.WALES
