Children eligible, offered and taking up Flying Start childcare, by local authority

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Next update expected:October 2027

Updates

23rd September 2026

This update includes the latest annual data and revisions to the previous annual data. All revisions are marked with the [r] note code. This update includes a change to the title of the dataset.

14th 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
433b2676-efcb-4ddc-be0d-e6029cab0a92

Overview

Summary of dataset and variables

Flying Start is a Welsh Government early years programme, delivered by local authorities. It provides support for families with children aged 4 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 2 year olds; enhanced health visiting; parenting support; support for speech, language and communication.

Flying Start was launched in 2006, and all 4 elements were expanded to more families from September 2022.

As at 2025 to 2026, parents of 2- to 3-year-old children eligible for all 4 Flying Start elements were offered high-quality childcare for 2.5 hours a day, 5 days a week for 39 weeks of the year. In addition, at least 15 sessions are provided for the family during the school holidays. Families can choose to accept either the full offer or a reduced offer if only some of the sessions are needed.

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. Additional data were requested from local authorities following expansion of the childcare element of Flying Start to monitor progress.

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

Statistical quality

Data from 2020-21 and 2021-22 was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 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.

‘Take up’ refers to whether the offer of childcare is accepted regardless of whether the child subsequently attends childcare, though some local authorities have provided attendance-based acceptance figures in 2024-25.

In Swansea in 2024-25, the number of children taking up full or reduced offers of childcare was greater than the total number of children offered childcare, resulting in percentage greater than 100% which has been adjusted to 100%. This is because only childcare offers to newly eligible 2 year olds in the period are counted, whereas the number of children taking up childcare could include children who turned 2 before the previous reporting period.

Related reports

Published by

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