Helping nurture the next generation

Kim helps, supports and develops the children, and has been in the role at the Cylch Meithrin since it began.  The 32 children at the setting, 20 of whom are Flying Start children, take part in a number of inside and outside activities.

Flying Start is one of the Government’s key early years programmes.  It is targeted at 0-3 year olds in some of our most disadvantaged communities, and aims to create positive outcomes for children, giving them the best possible start in life.

The programme includes free quality part-time childcare for 2 – 3 year olds, an enhanced health visiting service, parenting support and access to early language development courses where parents and children learn together through play and fun activities.

Kim says:

“Every day is different and we all enjoy coming into work every day.  We see progress in the children and that is rewarding. By the time we get to July and we look back on the year, we realise how much has been achieved."

“There’s no doubt it has a positive effect on the children.  They are more confident, their language and social skills are better.  Because we’re based with the school we can get feedback on how the children are when they start school.  Teachers have said the children sit and concentrate better.  They are in a better position to start school."

“Because we see the children from when they’re two years old we can help early on if there’s a problem.  Often things aren’t picked up until they get to school but it’s better to deal with things early on and that’s an advantage. 

“We’re here to nurture the children and give them attention.  We help build up their social skills, things like sitting down, taking turns and sharing."

“It is rewarding to see the change in some children.  When they arrive maybe they’re not confident, but as time goes on you see that confidence growing and they run here because they are happy to be here.  They can do lots of activities here; playing in the sand, going on nature walks, playing on the climbing frame.”

Sharing the site with the school has a lot of advantages according to Kim.

“The children know the teachers before they start school because they’ve been to Flying Start,” she says.  “The parents also get to know the teachers.  Starting school isn’t so frightening.   The transition from Flying Start to Clylch Meithrin to school is easier.”

The school is also pleased with the impact Flying Start is having.  The Head of Thomas Ellis School is Alison Jones.

“Children who have been through Flying Start are in a better position to start school.  Their concentration is better, their language and social skills have improved.  It means they can get on and start the curriculum.  Having it in the school is also an advantage and we have noticed a difference in the children since Flying Start has begun.”

Last year, the Welsh Government made a commitment in the Programme for Government to double the number of children benefitting from Flying Start, through support for families, health visiting and nursery places.  This means that almost a quarter of all children in Wales under the age of four will be able to benefit.