Families across Wrexham will soon be able to access Flying Start funded childcare for all two-year olds, as the programme marks 20 years of supporting children and families in Wales.
From June 2026, all parents and carers of children aged two in Wrexham will be eligible for up to 12.5 hours of high-quality funded childcare each week, regardless of where they live in the county borough.
Wrexham is the first local authority in North Wales to extend the Flying Start childcare offer to all two-year-olds. It follows Merthyr Tydfil, Swansea and Newport in reaching this important milestone.
Flying Start is a Welsh Government-funded early years programme, launched in 2006, which supports families with children under the age of four.
The programme provides a package of support, including funded childcare, enhanced health visiting, parenting support, and help with speech, language and communication.
Since April 2023, Flying Start has received significant investment from the Welsh Government through a phased expansion, extending high-quality childcare to thousands more children and families across Wales.
Between 2023 and 2025, the programme exceeded its target of supporting an additional 9,500 two-year-olds, with childcare places offered to more than 13,400 children and more than 10,000 taking up a place. Over the lifetime of the programme, more than £1.35 billion has been invested in Flying Start.
The national evaluation of Flying Start, published in February 2026, found that the programme is making a tangible difference for families and children across Wales, with parents consistently reporting the positive benefits of funded childcare.
Families in Wrexham who have already received Flying Start funded childcare have also reported the positive impact it has had on their children. High-quality childcare can support children’s development, confidence, independence, social skills and readiness for school.
The expansion will also support childcare providers across Wrexham, helping to drive quality improvements and support the long-term sustainability in the sector.
Deputy First Minister for Wales, with responsibility for childcare, Sioned Williams said: “Childcare costs are simply too high, and as a new government, we are determined to address that.
“I’m particularly pleased that Wrexham is now expanding its childcare offer to all two-year-olds, and we will continue to work closely with local authorities across Wales to roll this out everywhere. This is spending with purpose, with every pound working harder for Wales and today I’m pleased to also announce further investment to support the expansion of funded childcare to two-year olds across Wales.
“Our childcare offer is the most ambitious in the whole of the UK and I’m pleased that work to deliver it in line with our First 100 Days Plan is progressing well, including establishing an Expert Group that will drive the work forward.”
Councillor Phil Wynn, Lead Member for Education at Wrexham Council, said: “This is a fantastic milestone for Wrexham and a really positive step for local children and families.
“Extending Flying Start funded childcare to all two-year-olds means more families will be able to access high-quality early years support at an important stage in their child’s development.
“We know the early years are crucial in giving children the best possible start in life. Flying Start helps children build confidence, independence and social skills, while also supporting parents and carers.
“I’m particularly pleased that Wrexham is the first local authority in North Wales to reach this stage of the Flying Start expansion, and we look forward to seeing the benefits for families across the county borough.”
