Flying Start has positive impact throughout Caerphilly borough

The Flying Start programme has had a tremendous impact on families throughout the Caerphilly borough since its implementation in 2008. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Since its inception, the Flying Start programme has gone from strength to strength and now helps 2533 children aged 0-3 years old and their families annually in the most disadvantaged areas within the borough. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

As a result of the tremendous uptake of Flying Start throughout Caerphilly, the programme has expanded from the initial 10 catchment areas to 26, based on the most disadvantages areas in Caerphilly which are targeted using the highest concentration of children aged 0-3 years living in income benefit households. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Flying Start programme delivers: – ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Enhanced Health Programme which supports families from antenatal stage until their child turns 4
Parenting Programmes and individual family support including antenatal, postnatal, perinatal and mental health support
Speech, language and communication interventions including speech therapist support and Pop In and Play groups
Funded childcare places for 2-3 year olds before they take up their nursey place, including identification and support for children with additional needs. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The programme aims to establish positive behaviours in children and families through healthy lifestyles, positive parenting, attendance and aspirations. An analysis of the first 10 areas targeted by the Flying Start programme indicated an average attendance for each school following an improving trend. The programme aims to encourage positive behaviours at an early stage though a combination of activities which focus on attendance in school. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Rhianon Passmore, Cabinet Member for Education said: “I am thrilled that the Flying Start Programme has had such a positive impact on families throughout the borough. Research suggests that children with low attendance in their early years are more likely to start nursery behind their peers, especially in language acquisition and social development. However, the programme aims to encourage regular attendance to an educational environment to encourage this early development in young children. I look forward to seeing how the Flying Start programme continues to improve the lives of families within the Caerphilly county borough”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​