Flying Start is one of Wales’s flagship early years programmes — designed to give children in the most disadvantaged areas of Wales the best possible start in life. Unlike most childcare support, eligibility is based on postcode, not income. Here’s how it works and what families receive.
What Flying Start Provides
Flying Start is a bundle of services for families with children aged 0 to 4:
| Component | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Funded childcare | 2.5 hours/day, 5 days/week (term-time) for children aged 2.5–3.5 |
| Additional health visiting | Regular visits beyond the standard schedule |
| Language and play | Structured activities to support communication development |
| Parenting programmes | Practical courses for parents of young children |
| Specialist speech support | Referral pathway for speech and language concerns |
The childcare element is delivered through Flying Start-approved childcare providers — nurseries, childminders, and Flying Start centres — in the designated areas.
Who Is Eligible
Eligibility is based on where you live, not your income.
Flying Start operates in designated postcode areas — the most deprived communities in Wales as defined by the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation. These areas are spread across all 22 Welsh local authorities.
To find out if you qualify:
- Ask your health visitor — they will know whether your area is included
- Contact your local council’s Flying Start team
- Check the Welsh Government’s Flying Start area map (available via gov.wales)
Who within eligible areas qualifies:
- Families with children aged 0–4 living in the designated postcode
- Parents do not need to be working
- No income test applies
- All household compositions qualify (single parents, couples, etc.)
Flying Start Childcare vs the 30-Hour Offer
Wales provides two separate funded childcare programmes:
| Programme | Age | Hours | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Start childcare | 2.5–3.5 years | 12.5 hrs/week (term-time) | Must live in Flying Start area |
| 30-Hour Childcare Offer | 3–4 years | Up to 30 hrs/week | Parents must work 16+ hrs/week |
A child in a Flying Start area may access Flying Start childcare at 2.5–3.5 years, then move on to the 30-hour offer at 3+ years if parents work. These programmes can follow on from each other.
How Much Is Flying Start Childcare Worth?
The market rate for private nursery care in Wales runs at approximately £45–£65/day. Flying Start provides 2.5 hours per day (5 days per week) during term time.
Approximate term-time hours: 2.5 hours × 5 days × approximately 38 weeks = ~475 hours/year
Market value at £12/hour (nursery rate): approximately £5,700/year in funded childcare — for families in eligible areas.
What Happens After Flying Start Age?
When your child turns 3–4 and enters the 30-hour Childcare Offer period:
- If parents both work 16+ hours/week, they can access 30 hours/week funded childcare
- Flying Start health visiting and parenting support continues while the child is under 4
- At school entry (age 4–5 in Wales), free education begins and childcare funding ends
Flying Start vs England’s Sure Start
Flying Start is often compared to England’s Sure Start Centres programme (now Family Hubs). Key differences:
- Flying Start survived cuts that reduced English Sure Start provision significantly
- Flying Start funding is protected by the Welsh Government
- Flying Start includes funded childcare, which English Sure Start did not universally provide
- Flying Start areas are more tightly defined by deprivation geography