Latest news with #FlyingStart
South Wales Argus
29-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Welsh Government pressure on Chancellor to tackle poverty
First Minister Eluned Morgan MS, Jane Hutt MS, and Mark Drakeford MS, are pushing for changes to social security policy, particularly advocating for the end of the two-child benefit rule. The calls come as the UK Spending Review nears its conclusion, with the Ministerial Group's work becoming increasingly crucial. The government warns that, without action, child poverty is set to rise by 100,000 children annually throughout the UK parliamentary term. The Welsh Government is also working with the Patriotic Millionaires, a group proposing alternative ways to raise significant funds to combat poverty without increasing taxes on working families. Successive Welsh Governments have implemented various measures to alleviate poverty, which they claim leave more money in the pockets of Welsh citizens. These measures include an inclusive childcare scheme for three and four-year-olds, help with school-related costs, expanding the Flying Start programme for children in disadvantaged areas, and a student support scheme. The Welsh Government says it has used its devolved powers to oversee the rollout of free school meals for all primary school children, increases to the Education Maintenance Allowance, and the Claim What's Yours initiative in a bid to tackle child poverty. The Welsh Benefits Charter, which has been adopted by 22 local authorities to increase the uptake of Welsh benefits, is another tool the government is using in the fight against child poverty. The Welsh Government continues to utilise its devolved powers to address child poverty and is calling on the Chancellor to consider various revenue-raising options to ensure funds are directed towards improving children's lives. The government remains committed to supporting children and families, especially those in disadvantaged areas, as the UK Spending Review draws to a close.
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Mudiad Meithrin: Concerns some Welsh-language nurseries could close
There are concerns that some Welsh-language nurseries could face closure if more demands in the childcare sector fall on the shoulders of fewer present, hundreds of Cylch Meithrin nurseries across Wales are run by volunteer committees who are part of the Mudiad Meithrin with increased financial, safeguarding and staffing demands, many volunteers have said the current arrangements are not fit for Meithrin have said its options were limited, since each Cylch was an independent charity. The chief executive added that they "don't have a magic wand to fix things overnight", but that they had not seen evidence of a reduction in Meithrin Cilfynydd in Pontypridd opened following efforts by local parents, who were concerned about the effect closing Ysgol Pont Sion Norton would have on Welsh-medium education in the a few years, however, the Cylch had closed."There were three of us volunteers, without expertise in childcare," said Lowri Real, the Cylch's former secretary."Finding a site was one challenge, staffing was a huge challenge, and trying to ensure that the business was sustainable."But unfortunately, with staffing and site costs it was just impossible to run it viably. The three of us were essentially running a business on goodwill alone."They were encouraged by the Mudiad Meithrin to apply for grants from the Flying Start scheme, but that would have meant offering more childcare hours and so more admin work."That was beyond our means as a small committee," said Ms added that it was frustrating not to be able to continue with what they had been offering."If we don't look again at the system, I worry about small communities like this who will lose the language," she said."We need to come round the table and look at this, because the system isn't working and isn't sustainable."I wouldn't be encouraging anyone to open a Cylch Meithrin, because it has been heartbreakingly difficult." Two years ago, Cylch Meithrin Pontrhydfendigaid in Ceredigion was recognised as the top nursery in Mudiad Meithrin's annual maintaining that high standard was a challenge said Gwawr Evans, chair for the past five years."It's a lot more work than I'd thought," said the mother of four, who also runs a business."It's been an eye-opener seeing how much the committee does for the Cylch."The Cylch had secured grants to pay for a staff member to do admin work, but Ms Evans said more practical help from Mudiad Meithrin would be welcome."The Mudiad does great work, but more help for committees to deal with reports and staff assessments would certainly be welcome."She was worried that fewer people would want to volunteer in the future."I think it would be a challenge to find anyone willing to take over as chair, treasurer, secretary."No one wants to do it because they see how much work it takes."People have so much more going on with children, work, looking after the house."I'm worried about the nurseries' futures, and how they're going to be run, if more people aren't coming through." 'Parents want more childcare provision, not less' Mudiad Meithrin's chief executive Dr Gwenllian Lansdown Davies said she was aware of the pressures on volunteer committees, given the high standards of the childcare Meithrin will now review the voluntary committee model to see whether there were other alternatives."The advantage of a volunteer model is that the Cylch belongs to the community," she said."But of course, as childcare demands become ever more complex, the demands on committees also increases."We have a responsibility as Mudiad to take stock of that, and think what can we do differently, while accepting that we don't have a magic wand that can fix things overnight." Mudiad Meithrin said it was always looking for ways to relieve pressure on volunteer added that although it was impractical for all nurseries to be part of the Flying Start scheme, many parents were now looking for all-day childcare rather than a few mornings a number of Cylchoedd Meithrin providing Flying Start has more than doubled to 44% over the last three years."Communities and parents on the whole want more childcare provision, not less," said Dr Davies."The concern is if it's not being provided in Welsh, that we'll lose children from the Welsh-medium sector to the English-medium sector."Although Mudiad will look at alternative models, Dr Davies said there was no evidence so far that workload concerns were putting people off joining committees, or setting up new Cylchoedd Meithrin."We have more individuals volunteering on the committees this year than last year, but that doesn't mean we aren't aware of the pressures on them," said Dr Davies."The important thing is that we work in partnership with our 1,200 volunteers and say, if there's something we can do differently or better, thrn we should do that together."
Leader Live
29-04-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Flying Start free infant care expanded in Flintshire
As of Monday (April 28), the Flying Start fully funded childcare for two-year-olds expanded into new areas of Flintshire. Those eligible will receive 12.5 hours (2.5-hour session per day) a week of Welsh Government funded, high-quality childcare per week for 39 weeks of the year. The Flying Start childcare workforce is qualified to support children's development and supplement the nurturing traditionally provided by parents / carers. People wanting to check their eligibilty of the programme can do so via The following areas have now been included in the Flying Start programme: Funding is available from the term after their second birthday to the term after their third birthday My child has their second birthday between Funding for childcare begins 1 September – 31 December January 1 January – 31 March April 1 April – 31 August September 2.5 hours a day, 12.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday, term time only for up to 39 weeks of the year. View Flintshire term dates No, childcare sessions are paid for by Flying Start/Welsh Government. Funding is available at a Flying Start registered setting, this could be a childminder, cylchoedd, private day nursery or a playgroup. Yes, there are several Welsh settings in Flintshire. MORE NEWS: A Flying Start setting must be high quality. This means they are registered and inspected by Care Inspectorate Wales and: Your child will have opportunities to: Yes, the primary objectives for expanding Flying Start are to ensure children get the best possible start in life, to tackle poverty and deprivation, and to increase the provision of childcare services and of Welsh medium childcare places and settings, but the provision of funded childcare places for two-year-olds may also enable parents to work or access training and education opportunities that may not have otherwise been possible. In addition, those who work full time can have some of their childcare costs paid through this provision, if their child attends a Flying Start registered childcare setting.
