Flying Start
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility
What is the definition of an eligible child?
If your child lives in a Flying Start area, they can access Flying Start Childcare from the term following their second birthday up until the end of the term that they turn three. There are specific deadline dates by which your child must be 2 years old to qualify for childcare the following term.
I don’t think I’ll be eligible, how can I check?
We have recently expanded the areas that are eligible to receive Flying Start Childcare, if you haven’t done so already, we would encourage you to use our postcode checker to check if you’re eligible.
Other postcodes around me are entitled, I think my postcode should be included.
Flying Start is a geographically targeted programme which uses income benefit data, a proxy indicator for poverty, to target areas with the highest proportions of children aged 0-3 living in income benefit households. These areas have been identified using the Wales Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD), data from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs and are broken down by Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs).
The LSOAs have boundaries which means that some postcodes next to each other may fall under different LSOAs. However, if you feel that your postcode is amongst other entitled postcodes then please contact us so we can check this for you.
Why is the childcare not available for all 2 year olds?
Welsh Government are committed to delivering a phased expansion of early years provision to include all two-year-olds. Phase 1 of the expansion of Flying Start, was launched in September 2022 and included all four elements of the Flying Start programme, enhanced Health Visiting, support for speech, language and communication, parenting support, and high-quality childcare. Phase 2, from April 2023, focuses on a phased roll out of the part-time, high-quality childcare element of Flying Start to 2-3 year olds. Phase 3 will scope what may be required to move to universal Flying Start for all children across Wales. Welsh Government have not yet confirmed when this is likely to commence.
I’m working so why can’t my child access the childcare just because I don’t live in the right postcode?
Flying Start is the Welsh Government’s targeted Early Years programme for families with children under 4 years of age who live in some of the most disadvantaged areas of Wales. Flying Start aims to make a decisive difference to the life chances of children by mitigating the impact of poverty, which is linked to poor life outcomes in early childhood, including health outcomes.
The programme is not linked to council tax bandings. Flying Start is a geographically targeted programme which uses income benefit data, a proxy indicator for poverty, to target areas with the highest proportions of children aged 0-3 living in income benefit households. These areas have been identified using the Wales Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD), data from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs and are broken down by Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs).
What happens where parents have separated but do not share equal custody of a child?
Your child is eligible for Flying Start at the address where they live most of the time, and it is that parent that should apply.
What happens in families where parents live apart but have equal custody of a child?
One parent needs to be nominated to act as the lead parent and will need to live in a Flying Start Area. The way in which the funded hours are used by both parents is a matter for them to agree.
What happens if my child is accessing Flying Start childcare but I’ve moved to a new address within Pembrokeshire?
You or your childcare provider must complete a change of address form to tell us about the new address. If you have moved to another Flying Start area, your child will be able to continue to receive the funding. However, if you do not, your funding may need to stop. There are some circumstances where you may be able to continue to receive the funding through Flying Start outreach. In these cases, you may be asked to complete an amendment to your existing application.
What happens if my child is accessing Flying Start childcare in Carmarthenshire and we move to a new local authority area?
You or your childcare provider must complete a change of address form to tell us about the new address. Then, you need to make a new application to the new local authority. They will check your child is eligible then complete the necessary checks.
Can I choose a childcare setting closer to where I work?
Yes. If your child has been approved for Flying Start childcare and you already use the setting, we will fund the placement at any of our approved Flying Start childcare providers. It does not need to be the settings closest to where you live.
Accessing Flying Start Childcare
Funded childcare
The Flying Start funded childcare is available in various communities and areas throughout Pembrokeshire. The areas have been identified using the Welsh Government Data WIMD.
Flying Start offers funded childcare for children ages 2-3 years in a quality childcare setting. Children can attend for 2.5hrs a day for 5 days of the week term time only. Childcare is delivered through the medium of English or Welsh. Support for children who have been identified with an Additional Learning Needs (ALN) is also provided by the Early Years Team.
Flying Start funded childcare offer
The Flying Start funded childcare offer is for the term after a child’s 2nd birthday. All applications must be made online.
Please note dates for applications below:
Easter intake
Children who turn 2 between 1st January and 31st March
September intake
Children who turn 2 between 1st April and 31st August
January intake
Children who turn 2 between 1st September and 31st December
Do not apply until the term your child turns 2
If you have any queries please do not hesitate contact us.
01437 770004 or flyingstart@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Are you eligible?
Your child will be eligible the school term after their 2nd birthday
Flying Start Childcare Offer application form (opens in a new tab)
For more information please contact 01437 770004
Flying Start
What is Flying Start?
Flying Start is a Welsh Government funded programme which is targeted at children aged 0 - 3 years 11 months and their families who live in certain areas of Pembrokeshire defined by postcode, not all postcodes are eligible within Pembrokeshire, areas are decided upon Welsh Government data that is gathered.
It is well recognised that children's early years are an important period and experiences at this time impact greatly on children's future development - so it is very important to get it right.
Dewis Cymru (opens in a new tab) is the place to go if you want information or advice about your well-being – or want to know how you can help somebody else.
Are you Eligible?
Contact us
(01437) 770004
Health service
Health Visitors
Our aim to provide you with a friendly, caring and accessible service. The Health Visiting Service in Flying Start is able to provide additional home visits from the ante natal period through to 3 years and 11months. This is to support you with parenting and to provide you with any help and advice which you might need.
Community Nursery Nurses
The Flying Start Health Visitors are supported by a team of Community Nursery Nurses, who offer a range of help and support at a group or one to one within the home. These include, caring for your new baby, feeding, weaning, sleep routines, potty training and behaviour issues.
Group sessions include baby massage, under 1s and toddler groups.
Midwife
The Flying Start Midwife offers additional support for women during the pregnancy and the immediate post natal period.
Women who may need additional support are teenage mums, unsupported mums or mums who are vulnerable due to health or circumstances.
The Flying Start Midwives offer advice on staying healthy during pregnancy, maximising your chances of a normal birth, what happens when labour becomes more complex, breast feeding and infant feeding, care of the newborn and postnatal recovery. The focus is on maximising your unborn baby's mental and physical development and bonding with your baby.
You can ask you midwife to refer you or refer yourself by ringing 01437 770013 and leaving a message for us to call you back.
Rhian Walters - Flying Start Midwife
Speech & Language Team
Supporting children's language and communication development is a core aim of the Flying Start project.
The importance of targeting and identifying children who are having difficulties as early as possible is well evidenced. As is research into brain development which has shown the first three years of a child's life are crucial to the development of good language and communication skills.
What do the Speech & Language Team do?
- Provide general communication support for all children
- Ensure that other members of the Flying Start team are able to identify and support children's speech, language and communication difficulties
- Provide parents/carers with specific and practical strategies to develop children's language through play
The Health team will also refer you to other agencies within Flying Start if required.
Contact us
(01437) 770031
Parenting Support
Parenting support is a specific entitlement within Flying Start.
All parents/carers who live in a catchment area will be offered parenting support.
This includes, parenting groups and 1:1 support in the home.
For further information
Flying Start 01437 770004.