THE Welsh Government initiative Flying Start, aimed at giving children aged zero to three the best start in life celebrates its 10th birthday this year.

Monmouthshire Flying Start celebrated the big birthday with a series of birthday picnics across Monmouthshire.

All four Flying Start Centres, Abergavenny, Overmonnow, Caldicot and Chepstow hosted a picnic for children, parents and carers who have accessed the programme over the 10 years in Monmouthshire.

Flying Start began in Monmouthshire in 2006, the first centres were in north Abergavenny and the Overmonnow area of Monmouth but over the years the fantastic initiative has expanded to include parts of Caldicot and Chepstow.

The programme has helped so many children from Monmouthshire have the best possible start in life.

Parents and carers can access a range of services including intensive health visiting, parenting and early language support in targeted areas of Monmouthshire.

All two year old children in target areas are able to receive 12.5 hours of funded childcare in high quality childcare settings to help prepare them for nursery and the Foundation Phase. 

The idea for the Teddy Bears Picnics came from the Flying Start team who wanted to celebrate the ten years of the programme in a fun and family friendly way, Flying Start Manager, Beth Watkins, Beth said:

“We felt that after ten years of providing support to families, it was time for a celebration and this also provided us with an opportunity to meet up with parents and children who accessed services from 10 years ago. The team have thoroughly enjoyed meeting children who were babies and toddlers in 2006.

“It’s lovely to see how they have grown and development and it’s been fantastic to see how parents have developed too.  There were craft activities, outdoor parachute games, sand, water and singing. 

“The children had a great time painting the faces of their parents and the Flying Start team too.

“The feedback from families has been lovely and the team would like to thank everyone for the lovely birthday cards which are now displayed in the Flying Start Centres”

Cllr Liz Hacket Pain, Cabinet Member for children and young People said:

“Flying Start is a fantastic programme that has provided so many children and families with invaluable opportunities.

“It is so good to see the programme working in Abergavenny, Monmouth, Caldicot and Chepstow. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Flying Start Team for their continued work over the past 10 years.”

For more information about Flying Start contact 01873 856162 or email [email protected]