Flying Start currently helps families with children under 4 years old in disadvantaged areas of Wales.

Help available includes:

• part-time childcare for 2 to 3 year olds
• an enhanced Health Visiting service
• access to parenting programmes
• support for children to learn to talk and communicate

The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that every child in Wales has the best start in life.  This commitment has been extended to deliver a phased expansion of early years provision to include all two-year-olds with a particular emphasis on strengthening Welsh-medium provision. This expansion of early years provision will be delivered by Local Authorities across Wales through the Flying Start Programme, and they will continue to use a geographical approach highlighting those communities most in need.

About the expansion

Expansion since April 2023 has focussed on delivering the high-quality childcare element of the Flying Start Programme for 2 to 3 year olds in communities identified by the local authority. This includes 12.5 hours of childcare per week for 39 weeks of the year. In addition to a minimum of 15 sessions of flexible childcare and/or play during school holidays.

An essential element of this expansion is to expand and strengthen Welsh-medium childcare and increase the numbers of children who are able to speak Welsh across Wales. Funding is being provided to support existing settings to expand into Welsh-medium provision as well as enabling new settings to open.

You can find out more including the answer to Frequently Asked Questions on the Welsh Government’s website.

What does this mean for me?

Local authorities decide which settings to fund for Flying Start services. Many consider a variety of childcare providers and the expansion of Flying Start means that many local authorities are looking to utilise existing provision.

The Welsh Government Flying Start childcare guidance, explains what childcare providers must do to ensure they provide quality childcare. This includes recognition of the role of childminders:

The purpose of Flying Start childcare is to provide enriching experiences for children to learn, develop and socialise with their peers in a supportive professional environment. Childminders play a vital role in ensuring that Flying Start childcare meets the needs of parents or carers and uphold the professional and quality standards which are a feature of Flying Start childcare provision.

PACEY Cymru promotes to Welsh Government and local authorities the importance of parental choice of provision and the benefits of using a range of settings, including childminders, to provide Flying Start services.

Claire Protheroe Head of Contracts and Projects for PACEY said:

While PACEY Cymru welcome the expansion of Flying Start clear consideration needs to be given to the local childcare market.  We need to ensure that childcare displacement does not occur and the sustainability of existing registered provision, who are providing quality services, is considered.  Flying Start services are often commissioned through a tendering process in a Local Authority.  PACEY Cymru are aware of the challenges that procurement brings for childminders and other smaller group settings and would welcome the opportunity to support discussions in this area to maximise opportunities and remove barriers. 

It is extremely important that any barriers to childminders delivering commissioned services in Wales are considered and addressed. This would support a successful expansion of Flying Start and ensure the provision of quality care which supports the best interests of children, parental choice of childcare and sustainability of existing settings.

There is a concern given the decline in registered childminders in Wales in recent years and the Independent Review of Childminding in Wales will be key to highlighting challenges and solutions.  We will continue to work collaboratively on behalf of the sector as this work develops.

How do I become a Flying Start provider?

Due to the expansion in the number of childcare spaces being funded over the coming years through Flying Start local authorities are working hard to identify appropriate provision in the area.

Some of the benefits to becoming a Flying Start funded childcare provider include;

• Opening up your services to families who are eligible for Flying Start provision. Maybe consider seeking their views on what form of childcare suits their needs.
• Growing your business – parents may recommend to friends, may place other children with you and may choose to continue the placement after the funding ends
• Helping children and families with additional needs or from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Providing consistency of care for children and their families

Details of the Flying Start qualification requirements can be found on the Social Care Wales qualification framework: Flying Start. A childminder who doesn’t work with an assistant(s) is defined as a Flying Start Practitioner, and a childminder who does work with a childminding assistant(s) is defined as a Flying Start Leader.

If you are interested in providing Flying Start in your setting you will need to meet your individual local authority’s eligibility criteria. The first step would be to contact the Flying Start or childcare team in your local authority to discuss options.  You can also contact PACEY Cymru to discuss your interest and explore the position within your area.

Further support

If you would like to discuss any aspect of this topic, or would like additional support or guidance, then please get in touch with PACEY Cymru on 02920 351407 or email paceycymru@pacey.org.uk

Mae Dechrau’n Deg yn helpu teuluoedd sydd â phlant o dan 4 oed mewn rhannau difreintiedig o Gymru.

Mae’r cymorth yn cynnwys:

• gofal plant rhan-amser i blant 2 i 3 oed
• gwell gwasanaeth gan Ymwelwyr Iechyd
• rhaglenni magu plant
• cymorth i blant i ddysgu siarad a chyfathrebu

Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymrwymo i sicrhau bod pob plentyn yng Nghymru yn cael y dechrau gorau posibl mewn bywyd.mae’r ymrwymiad hwn wedi ei ymestyn i fynd ati yn raddol i ehangu’r ddarpariaeth ar gyfer y blynyddoedd cynnar er mwyn cynnwys pob plentyn dwy oed, gan roi pwyslais penodol ar gryfhau’r ddarpariaeth Gymraeg.

Yr ehangu

Mae ehangu ers mis Ebrill 2023 wedi canolbwyntio ar ddarparu elfen gofal plant o ansawdd uchel y Rhaglen Dechrau’n Deg ar gyfer plant 2 i 3 oed mewn cymunedau a nodwyd gan awdurdodau lleol. Mae hyn yn cynnwys 12.5 awr o ofal plant yr wythnos am 39 wythnos y flwyddyn. Yn ogystal ag isafswm o 15 sesiwn o ofal plant hyblyg a/neu chwarae yn ystod gwyliau ysgol. 

Elfen hanfodol o’r gwaith ehangu hwn yw ymestyn a chryfhau darpariaeth gofal plant cyfrwng Cymraeg a chynyddu nifer y plant sy’n gallu siarad Cymraeg ledled Cymru. Mae cyllid yn cael ei ddarparu i gefnogi lleoliadau presennol i ehangu i gynnig darpariaeth cyfrwng Cymraeg yn ogystal â galluogi lleoliadau newydd i agor.

Gallwch gael rhagor o wybodaeth, gan gynnwys yr ateb i Gwestiynau Cyffredin, ar wefan Llywodraeth Cymru.

Beth mae hyn yn ei olygu i mi?

Awdurdodau Lleol sy’n penderfynu pa leoliadau i’w hariannu ar gyfer gwasanaethau Dechrau’n Deg. Mae llawer ohonynt yn ystyried amrywiaeth o ddarparwyr gofal plant ac mae ehangu Dechrau’n Deg yn golygu bod llawer o awdurdodau lleol yn bwriadu gwneud defnydd o’r ddarpariaeth bresennol.

Mae canllawiau gofal plant Dechrau’n Deg Llywodraeth Cymru yn egluro beth mae’n rhaid i ddarparwyr gofal plant ei wneud i sicrhau eu bod yn darparu gofal plant o safon. Mae hyn yn cynnwys cydnabod rôl gwarchodwyr plant:

Diben Gofal Plant Dechrau’n Deg yw darparu profiadau cyfoethog i blant ddysgu, datblygu a chymdeithasu â’u cyfoedion mewn amgylchedd proffesiynol a chefnogol. Mae gwarchodwyr plant yn chwarae rhan hanfodol wrth sicrhau bod gofal plant Dechrau’n Deg yn diwallu anghenion rhieni neu ofalwyr ac yn cynnal y safonau proffesiynol a’r ansawdd sy’n nodwedd o ddarpariaeth gofal plant Dechrau’n Deg.

Mae PACEY Cymru yn hyrwyddo pwysigrwydd dewis rhieni o ran darpariaeth a manteision defnyddio ystod o leoliadau, gan gynnwys gwarchodwyr plant, i ddarparu gwasanaethau Dechrau’n Deg i Lywodraeth Cymru ac awdurdodau lleol.

Dywed Claire Protheroe, Pennaeth Cytundebau a Phrosiectau ar gyfer y Gymdeithas Broffesiynol ar PACEY Cymru:

Er bod PACEY Cymru yn croesawu ehangu Dechrau’n Deg mae PACEY Cymru yn teimlo’n gryf bod angen rhoi ystyriaeth glir i’r farchnad gofal plant lleol. Mae angen inni sicrhau nad yw’n dadleoli gofal plant a bod cynaliadwyedd y ddarpariaeth gofrestredig bresennol, sy’n darparu gwasanaethau o safon, yn cael ei ystyried. Mae gwasanaethau Dechrau’n Deg yn aml yn cael eu comisiynu drwy broses dendro mewn Awdurdod Lleol. Mae PACEY Cymru yn ymwybodol o’r heriau y mae caffael yn eu cyflwyno i warchodwyr plant a lleoliadau grwpiau llai eraill a byddent yn croesawu’r cyfle i gefnogi trafodaethau yn y maes hwn i wneud y mwyaf o gyfleoedd a dileu rhwystrau.

Mae’n hynod bwysig bod unrhyw rwystrau sy’n atal gwarchodwyr plant rhag darparu gwasanaethau a gomisiynir yng Nghymru yn cael eu hystyried ac yn cael sylw. Byddai hyn yn cefnogi ehangiad llwyddiannus o Ddechrau’n Deg ac yn sicrhau darpariaeth gofal o ansawdd sy’n cefnogi buddiannau gorau plant, dewis rhieni o ofal plant a chynaliadwyedd lleoliadau presennol.

Mae pryder o ystyried y gostyngiad yn nifer y gwarchodwyr plant cofrestredig yng Nghymru dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf a bydd yr Adolygiad Annibynnol o Warchod Plant yng Nghymru yn allweddol i amlygu heriau ac atebion. Byddwn yn parhau i gydweithio ar ran y sector wrth i’r gwaith hwn ddatblygu.

Sut ydw i’n dod yn ddarparwr Dechrau’n Deg?

Oherwydd ehangu nifer y lleoedd gofal plant sy’n cael eu hariannu dros y blynyddoedd i ddod drwy Dechrau’n Deg, mae awdurdodau lleol yn gweithio’n galed i nodi darpariaeth briodol yn yr ardal.

Mae rhai o fanteision dod yn ddarparwr gofal plant a ariennir gan Dechrau’n Deg yn cynnwys:

• Agor eich gwasanaethau i deuluoedd sy’n gymwys ar gyfer darpariaeth Dechrau’n Deg. Efallai y gallwch ystyried ceisio eu barn ar ba fath o ofal plant sy’n gweddu i’w hanghenion.
• Tyfu eich busnes – mae’n bosib y bydd rhieni’n eich argymell i ffrindiau, lleoli plant eraill gyda chi a dewis parhau â’r lleoliad ar ôl i’r cyllid ddod i ben
• Helpu plant a theuluoedd ag anghenion ychwanegol neu o gefndiroedd difreintiedig
• Darparu gofal cyson i blant a’u teuluoedd

Mae manylion gofynion cymwysterau Dechrau’n Deg i’w gweld ar fframwaith cymwysterau Gofal Cymdeithasol Cymru: Dechrau’n Deg. Diffinnir gwarchodwr plant nad yw’n gweithio gyda chynorthwyydd(wyr) fel Ymarferydd Dechrau’n Deg a diffinnir gwarchodwr plant sy’n gweithio gyda chynorthwyydd(wyr) gwarchodwyr yn y lleoliad fel Arweinydd Dechrau’n Deg.

Os oes gennych ddiddordeb mewn darparu Dechrau’n Deg yn eich lleoliad bydd angen i chi fodloni meini prawf cymhwysedd eich awdurdod lleol unigol. Y cam cyntaf fyddai cysylltu â’r tîm Dechrau’n Deg neu Ofal Plant yn eich awdurdod lleol i drafod opsiynau.  Gallwch hefyd gysylltu â PACEY Cymru i drafod eich diddordeb ac archwilio’r sefyllfa yn eich ardal.

Gwybodaeth bellach

Os hoffech drafod unrhyw agwedd ar y pwnc hwn, neu os hoffech gael cymorth neu arweiniad pellach, cysylltwch â PACEY Cymru drwy ffonio 02920 351407 neu e-bostiwch paceycymru@pacey.org.uk.