Support for families in some of Gwynedd's most disadvantaged areas of to be discussed

More than 140 extra children in some of the most deprived areas of Gwynedd are expected to benefit from free childcare, if the Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet approves a recommendation to extend the Flying Start scheme within the county.

 

Should the Cabinet approve the recommendation at its meeting on 25 April 2023, the Welsh Government will invest almost £630,000 through its Children and Communities Grant to make childcare more accessible. Phase Two of the scheme will offer care for two-year-olds in more areas within Caernarfon, Dyffryn Nantlle, Pwllheli, Porthmadog, Abermaw, Bala and Bro Ffestiniog.

 

The Flying Start scheme is run locally in Gwynedd by the Council's Children and Families’ Support Department. More information about the Flying Start scheme in Gwynedd is available on the Council's website: Flying Start (llyw.cymru)

The investment will allow for childcare funding for more families and give a boost to families where parents are in education and training or need support to be able to work.

 

If the Cabinet gives the recommendations the green light, the Council will also develop purpose-built buildings to help families with childcare in the early years at Deiniolen, Bangor and Penygroes.

 

Over time, these various plans will result in the expansion of childcare provision for those aged between two and four throughout the county, giving children the best start and strengthening Welsh-medium provision.

 

Councillor Elin Walker Jones, Gwynedd Council's Cabinet Member for the Children and Family Support Department, said: "I support these plans and moving on to Phase Two of Flying Start will be good news for children and also for their families. Having access to good childcare locally can make all the difference to a child's development and this support can give their parents a boost as they start to think about returning to training or work.

 

"The Flying Start scheme already targets the most deprived areas of the county and I am glad that plans are in place to extend it to more communities. It will tackle deprivation and help fill the gaps in childcare provision available to parents of young children.

 

"It's great to think that around 140 more children will have access to the scheme.

 

"Council officers are working on detailed plans to make sure that the provision and staff are in place to make this plan a reality, and I'm looking forward to seeing more children benefit from free childcare.”

 

The Flying Start scheme targets the most deprived areas in the county, based on Welsh Government data. There will be flexibility within this next phase of the plan to include families who live outside the geographical boundaries of the specified areas, but the authorities believe are eligible.

 

If the Council's Cabinet gives the plan the go-ahead, steps will be taken to raise awareness locally and eligible families who live within the noted areas will be informed how to apply for support.