Children on Flying Start caseload with different characteristics, by local authority

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Next update expected:October 2027

Updates

23rd September 2026

This update includes the latest annual data. This update includes a change to the title of the dataset.

15th September 2026

Removal of the shorthand note coded [t] from data

8th October 2025
Dataset first published.

Main information

Designation
Official statistics
Data provider
Welsh Government
Data source
Flying Start data monitoring returns
Time period covered
April 2012 to March 2026
Dataset ID
3c23f43e-66a3-4b2e-95b9-6daea7c48ee0

Overview

Summary of dataset and variables

Flying Start is a Welsh Government early years programme, delivered by local authorities that provides support for families with children aged four and under, particularly in disadvantaged areas with the aim of improving outcomes.

The programme provides a package of support including funded, part-time, high-quality childcare for two-year-olds, enhanced health visiting, parenting support and support for speech, language and communication.

Flying Start was launched in 2006, and all four elements were expanded to more families from September 2022.

Data collection or calculation

The main source of data used in this statistical release is management information collected via the Welsh Government Flying Start Data Monitoring Return directly from local authorities. This data collection started in April 2012 to March 2013.

Further information on data sources and changes to Flying Start service provision because of the pandemic are detailed in the quality report.

The number of children on the caseload is generally lower than the number of children who have received Flying Start services in the year because families move in and out of Flying Start areas throughout the course of the year, and as children grow older they may become ineligible for services at a faster rate than new arrivals become eligible.

Statistical quality

Data from 2020-21 and 2021-22 was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In years prior to the pandemic, in general only face-to-face contacts were recorded as Flying Start contacts. Welsh Government guidance issued in June 2021 stated that, as a general rule any targeted activity conducted via different means during the pandemic (i.e. virtual contacts through Skype or Whatsapp) should be recorded in the same way as face-to-face contacts were recorded previously. The guidance also stated that local authorities should exercise their professional judgement when determining if a virtual contact was meaningful enough to be recorded.

Local authorities have provided additional feedback on how services were affected in 2021-22, and these included:

  • some parenting and speech, language and communication (SLC) programmes were either not run or not able to be completed
  • some childcare sessions had low attendance due to continued parental concern over COVID-19
  • some parents chose not to take-up childcare which they may have accepted prior to the pandemic
  • some Flying Start staff would have been self-isolating, shielding or unwell which affected the service offered
  • some contacts recorded as face-to-face contacts may have taken place over the phone or virtually.

These factors need to be considered when using data for 2021-22. Services in 2022-23 were also affected by the pandemic. Whilst the enforced restrictions and adaptions to service delivery seen in 2021-22 were not seen in 2022-23, there may still have been some disruption caused by localised outbreaks of the virus. Furthermore, some of the virtual delivery of Parenting courses, SLC and health visitor services was retained as part of programme delivery for 2022-23 either due to personal choice or because it was deemed to be an effective means of reaching some families depending on individual circumstances. Caution is therefore advised when comparing data from 2022-23 with pre-pandemic figures.

Health Visiting in Rhondda Cynon Taf: Rhondda Cynon Taf are piloting a new health visiting model which means that data between 2020-21 and 2023-24 are collected on a different basis to previous years. This may mean that any differences between previous years and any differences with other local authority areas may be due to the different service provision model. Therefore, caution is advised when comparing Rhondda Cynon Taf data with previous years and when comparing with other local authorities in 2022-23.

Related reports

Published by

Organisation
Welsh Government
Contact email
stats.healthinfo@gov.wales