Flying Start

What is Flying Start?

Flying Start is a new initiative for children aged from 0 up until their 4th birthday, and their parents or carers. It is a specific grant to Local Authorities funded by the Welsh Assembly Government until 2010/11. Flying Start will be happening across many areas of Wales including designated parts of Wrexham.

What does Flying Start Provide?

Flying Start provides a number of free services for eligible families:

• Childcare
• Health Visiting
• Parenting
• Basic Skills

Increased Health Visiting – this means more support and contact from your Flying Start Health Visitor. There is a team of health professionals who also supplement  this work including a Speech Therapist, midwife and family support workers.

Some free sessional childcare for 2 to 3 year olds – this means that eligible children can attend a Flying Start childcare setting for 2.5 hours a day, 5 days a week for 42 weeks of the year. All sessions are fun and free, and there are 2 Welsh medium centres available.

When the child is in the term after their 3rd birthday they can attend a free Early Education place.

Access to parenting courses and opportunities  - this means that a number of free courses will be made available to eligible parents to support them in their roles as parents. They are fun and can be delivered in a group or one to one within the home. One of the main courses available is the Incredible Years programme. This is a 12 week course which gives parents the skills  to deal with any challenging behaviour their children might display.

Basic Skills – This element is about support for parents to develop the basic skills of their children. Language and Play and Number and Play are two short courses where parents and children can have fun together with staff from the Language and Play team. These two courses can also be delivered in the home.   

How do I know if I am eligible?

All eligible families have received a letter and leaflet letting them know they are eligible. They will also have received visits from their Flying Start Health Visitor who will have explained more about Flying Start.

Who can I contact to find out more?

You can ring the Flying Start Development Officer on 01978-317678 or the Flying Start Health Team on 01978 265395 or 823716.