Welsh children to get flying start

The Welsh Assembly has pledged £46m to help disadvantaged children from birth to three.

The cash will fund the Flying Start initiative, a two-year programme starting next year which aims to deliver a package of support to improve the lives of children in poor areas.

Central to this will be free, part-time, high-quality child care for two-year-olds, in addition to increased support from health visitors and help for parents.

“Free part-time child care for two-year-olds is a major step forward from our existing commitment to three-year-olds,” said Jane Davidson, education and lifelong learning minister.