Flying Start Childcare Carmarthenshire Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility
What is the definition of an eligible child?
If your child lives in a Flying Start area, they can access Flying Start Childcare from the term following their second birthday up until the end of the term that they turn three. There are specific deadline dates by which your child must be 2 years old to qualify for childcare the following term.
When will Flying Start come to my area?
The Welsh Government is expanding the Flying Start programme over 10 years to offer funded childcare to all 2-year-olds, with a focus on Welsh-medium provision.
• Childcare only phased expansion: Started in April 2023 and will continue until March 2033.
• Annual limits: Each year, Welsh Government sets a cap on how many additional children can be included.
• Current progress: Carmarthenshire is expected to support around 1,169 eligible 2-year-olds by the end of the expansion.
• Phase 2 (2023–2025): 279 children
• Phase 3 (2025–2026): 250 children
• Approx. 50% of full rollout achieved so far
• Priority Areas: Welsh Government provides a list of areas across Carmarthenshire. We work through this list as funding becomes available.
What You Need to Know:
• This is a gradual rollout, not all areas or children will be eligible immediately.
• To check if your child is eligible, use the postcode checker https://fis.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/flying-start/ or email the Flying Start inbox flyingstart@carmarthenshire.gov.uk.
• Childcare only phased expansion: Started in April 2023 and will continue until March 2033.
• Annual limits: Each year, Welsh Government sets a cap on how many additional children can be included.
• Current progress: Carmarthenshire is expected to support around 1,169 eligible 2-year-olds by the end of the expansion.
• Phase 2 (2023–2025): 279 children
• Phase 3 (2025–2026): 250 children
• Approx. 50% of full rollout achieved so far
• Priority Areas: Welsh Government provides a list of areas across Carmarthenshire. We work through this list as funding becomes available.
What You Need to Know:
• This is a gradual rollout, not all areas or children will be eligible immediately.
• To check if your child is eligible, use the postcode checker https://fis.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/flying-start/ or email the Flying Start inbox flyingstart@carmarthenshire.gov.uk.
I don’t think I’ll be eligible, how can I check?
We have recently expanded the areas that are eligible to receive Flying Start Childcare, if you haven’t done so already, we would encourage you to use our postcode checker to check if you’re eligible.
Other postcodes around me are entitled, I think my postcode should be included.
Flying Start is a geographically targeted programme which uses income benefit data, a proxy indicator for poverty, to target areas with the highest proportions of children aged 0-3 living in income benefit households. These areas have been identified using the Wales Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD), data from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs and are broken down by Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs).
The LSOAs have boundaries which means that some postcodes next to each other may fall under different LSOAs. However, if you feel that your postcode is amongst other entitled postcodes then please contact us so we can check this for you.
The LSOAs have boundaries which means that some postcodes next to each other may fall under different LSOAs. However, if you feel that your postcode is amongst other entitled postcodes then please contact us so we can check this for you.
Why is the childcare not available for all 2 year olds?
Welsh Government are committed to delivering a phased expansion of early years provision to include all two-year-olds. Phase 1 of the expansion of Flying Start, was launched in September 2022 and included all four elements of the Flying Start programme, enhanced Health Visiting, support for speech, language and communication, parenting support, and high-quality childcare. Phase 2, from April 2023, focuses on a phased roll out of the part-time, high-quality childcare element of Flying Start to 2-3 year olds. Phase 3 will scope what may be required to move to universal Flying Start for all children across Wales. Welsh Government have not yet confirmed when this is likely to commence.
I’m working so why can’t my child access the childcare just because I don’t live in the right postcode?
Flying Start is the Welsh Government’s targeted Early Years programme for families with children under 4 years of age who live in some of the most disadvantaged areas of Wales. Flying Start aims to make a decisive difference to the life chances of children by mitigating the impact of poverty, which is linked to poor life outcomes in early childhood, including health outcomes.
The programme is not linked to council tax bandings. Flying Start is a geographically targeted programme which uses income benefit data, a proxy indicator for poverty, to target areas with the highest proportions of children aged 0-3 living in income benefit households. These areas have been identified using the Wales Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD), data from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs and are broken down by Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs).
The programme is not linked to council tax bandings. Flying Start is a geographically targeted programme which uses income benefit data, a proxy indicator for poverty, to target areas with the highest proportions of children aged 0-3 living in income benefit households. These areas have been identified using the Wales Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD), data from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs and are broken down by Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs).
What happens where parents have separated but do not share equal custody of a child?
Your child is eligible for Flying Start at the address where they live most of the time, and it is that parent that should apply.
What happens in families where parents live apart but have equal custody of a child?
One parent needs to be nominated to act as the lead parent and will need to live in a Flying Start Area. The way in which the funded hours are used by both parents is a matter for them to agree.
What happens if my child is accessing Flying Start childcare but I’ve moved to a new address within Carmarthenshire?
You or your childcare provider must complete a change of address form to tell us about the new address. If you have moved to another Flying Start area, your child will be able to continue to receive the funding. However, if you do not, your funding may need to stop. There are some circumstances where you may be able to continue to receive the funding through Flying Start outreach. In these cases, you may be asked to complete an amendment to your existing application.
What happens if my child is accessing Flying Start childcare in Carmarthenshire and we move to a new local authority area?
You or your childcare provider must complete a change of address form to tell us about the new address. Then, you need to make a new application to the new local authority. They will check your child is eligible then complete the necessary checks.
Can I choose a childcare setting closer to where I work?
Yes. If your child has been approved for Flying Start childcare, we will fund the placement at any of our approved Flying Start childcare providers. It does not need to be the settings closest to where you live.
Accessing Flying Start Childcare
How many hours of childcare will be funded?
Flying Start Childcare is a maximum of 12.5 hours per week, for 39 weeks usually during term-time.
Which times of day can Flying Start Childcare be accessed?
High quality part time Flying Start childcare sessions focus on improving the outcomes for children and to support their transition into early education and beyond. To achieve maximum benefit, sessions should be 2½ hours per day, 5 days a week. Whilst there is some flexibility with this, which can be discussed on an individual basis, we would encourage children to access a Flying Start session which does not include sleep or lunch times.
Is there a limit to the number of hours Flying Start Childcare can be accessed during any one day?
Yes. Sessions should be for 2.5 hours per day, 5 days a week, so that the child gets the maximum benefit from the programme. However, in some circumstances, if you are a working family for example, you may wish to use 2 sessions a day (this equates to 5 hours) to support your work pattern. You can discuss this with your chosen Flying Start childcare provider to check if their registration would allow for this. Both the Flying Start setting and the family must agree this arrangement.
Further national guidance is as follows:
– Sessions times must support the needs of the family. If only a 2.5-hour session is required per day, under the terms of the contract and in adherence with their Statement of Purpose, the provider must accommodate this request.
– A flexible approach to the number of sessions attended is often required to cater for the needs of parents or children. For example, if a parent decides to bring the child for three sessions only, this should be accommodated. However, providers should encourage parents to take up their full entitlement where possible.
– The Flying Start childcare session should be focussed on high quality development opportunities and so should not include sleep, lunch, or wraparound care.
– Sessions times must be transparent and stated in the childcare provider’s Statement of Purpose. To access two sessions in one day, the childcare setting must be registered for full day care and identify the sessions in their Statement of Purpose clearly identifying that children could stay for two sessions a day. More than 2.5 hours cannot be provided by sessional providers who can only deliver care for the same child for less than 4hours in one day.
– Anything outside the agreed approved Flying Start funded hours, for example more than the 2.5 / 5-hour session, is regarded as additional hours and must be agreed in the contract between the parent and the provider as they would be chargeable by the provider.
Further national guidance is as follows:
– Sessions times must support the needs of the family. If only a 2.5-hour session is required per day, under the terms of the contract and in adherence with their Statement of Purpose, the provider must accommodate this request.
– A flexible approach to the number of sessions attended is often required to cater for the needs of parents or children. For example, if a parent decides to bring the child for three sessions only, this should be accommodated. However, providers should encourage parents to take up their full entitlement where possible.
– The Flying Start childcare session should be focussed on high quality development opportunities and so should not include sleep, lunch, or wraparound care.
– Sessions times must be transparent and stated in the childcare provider’s Statement of Purpose. To access two sessions in one day, the childcare setting must be registered for full day care and identify the sessions in their Statement of Purpose clearly identifying that children could stay for two sessions a day. More than 2.5 hours cannot be provided by sessional providers who can only deliver care for the same child for less than 4hours in one day.
– Anything outside the agreed approved Flying Start funded hours, for example more than the 2.5 / 5-hour session, is regarded as additional hours and must be agreed in the contract between the parent and the provider as they would be chargeable by the provider.
Can I carry over unused hours to the next week or school holiday?
No. You are not able to ‘bank’ childcare hours, in other words, carry over any unused hours from one week to another. Nor can unused hours be used in school holidays. Flying Start childcare is usually during term time. The number of hours funded cannot exceed 12.5 in any term time week and you can choose how much of the 12.5 hours to take up. Any hours not used in a week will be lost. You can pay for additional hours of childcare, over and above the 12.5 hours, at your own expense.
Is there flexibility to change the hours booked within a week?
Yes, this is possible provided the childcare provider can accommodate the change. If you wish to increase the funded hours, this cannot exceed 12.5 hours of funding per week or more than 5 hours within any one day.
Who can deliver Flying Start Childcare?
The funded childcare is only available at approved childcare settings who have met the required quality criteria and are contracted to provide Flying Start childcare on our behalf.
We are currently working to increase the number of Flying Start childcare places available in Carmarthenshire by supporting our childcare providers who are not yet contracted to offer Flying Start to meet the quality criteria required by the scheme. We will continue to update the list of providers as more are able to offer Flying Start.
We are currently working to increase the number of Flying Start childcare places available in Carmarthenshire by supporting our childcare providers who are not yet contracted to offer Flying Start to meet the quality criteria required by the scheme. We will continue to update the list of providers as more are able to offer Flying Start.
What happens if my childcare provider does not want to offer Flying Start Childcare?
If you are using, or wish to use, a childcare provider who is not contracted by us to provide Flying Start childcare, you must decide whether to continue with that provider and not receive the funding or to use an alternative provider that is contracted to provide Flying Start.
How many approved Flying Start childcare settings can my child access?
A fundamental aim of the Flying Start programme is to offer the child consistent, quality childcare. Therefore, we discourage you from using more than one childcare provider for Flying Start childcare.
Can childcare providers in Carmarthenshire provide Flying Start childcare to children from other local authority areas?
Yes. However, you will need to discuss the potential funding with the relevant local authority. Flying Start Carmarthenshire cannot fund children who live outside of the County.
Is Flying Start Childcare available during bank holiday?
This would depend on the individual childcare provider, and you would have to check with them directly.
What if a child lives in an origianl Flying start area and wishes to attend a childcare-only expansion setting?
Children who live in an original Flying Start area must attend a provider that is contracted under the original Flying Start programme.
This is because the Local Authority is legally required to allocate childcare to contracted providers under the original Flying Start framework. These contracted providers deliver the full range of Flying Start services beyond childcare, including health, parenting, and early language support. Compliance with these legal and contractual requirements are essential to ensure the full Flying Start entitlement is delivered to eligible families.
Unfortunately, Childcare-only expansion settings do not deliver the wider services required by the original programme and are not under the same contractual obligations.
As such, even if a parent prefers a childcare-only expansion setting, their child cannot attend that setting if they are eligible under the original Flying Start programme.
Childcare Providers
What do we require for you to become an approved Flying Start Childcare provider?
Providers must;
– Be registered with CIW.
– Provide evidence of an annual Quality of Care report (SASS)
– Be registered with an Umbrella Organisation i.e. Mudiad Meithrin, Early Years Wales.
– Confirm their business status i.e. limited company, sole trader, charity.
– Have appropriate levels of insurance: £10million Employer’s Liability, Public Liability.
– Be compliant with legislation and have all relevant policies in place (Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Equality & Diversity etc.)
– Be able to provide childcare to children in Flying start expansion areas.
– Be registered with CIW.
– Provide evidence of an annual Quality of Care report (SASS)
– Be registered with an Umbrella Organisation i.e. Mudiad Meithrin, Early Years Wales.
– Confirm their business status i.e. limited company, sole trader, charity.
– Have appropriate levels of insurance: £10million Employer’s Liability, Public Liability.
– Be compliant with legislation and have all relevant policies in place (Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Equality & Diversity etc.)
– Be able to provide childcare to children in Flying start expansion areas.
What is included in the Flying Start Childcare rate?
The standard daily rate is £17.00 per child per 2.5-hour session, for providers not located within a Flying Start Local authority building. This includes all consumables required for the effective delivery of the service, for example, a healthy snack, resources for all learning activities, leader release time for paperwork and training release time.
It excludes food, transport, and other additional charges such as paid-for activities and trips. Parents eligible for Flying Start funded provision should not be disadvantaged by additional charges should they not wish to take up those additional activities. For example, parents could collect prior to lunch at the end of the Flying Start childcare session and not incur any additional charges for lunch. For further clarification regarding the rate, please contact Flying Start on 01554 742447 or flyingstart@carmarthenshire.gov.uk.
It excludes food, transport, and other additional charges such as paid-for activities and trips. Parents eligible for Flying Start funded provision should not be disadvantaged by additional charges should they not wish to take up those additional activities. For example, parents could collect prior to lunch at the end of the Flying Start childcare session and not incur any additional charges for lunch. For further clarification regarding the rate, please contact Flying Start on 01554 742447 or flyingstart@carmarthenshire.gov.uk.
Can I charge a parent top-up fees for those hours funded by Flying Start?
No. You cannot charge hourly top-up fees, even if you would normally charge more than the funding received for the Flying Start Childcare sessions.
Should I be applying the same session rates in respect of Flying Start and non-Flying Start parents?
The Flying Start guidance does not stipulate that providers should charge the same rate for Flying Start and non-Flying Start parents. Any charges for privately funded childcare places would be at the discretion of the childcare provider to set.
Can I charge for food and additional activities?
A snack is usually provided during the 2.5-hour session which would be in line with our healthy and sustainable preschool scheme. You cannot charge extra for healthy snacks. If a working parent wishes to use two sessions in a day to fit their working pattern, we anticipate that there would be additional time for lunch and a lunch in line with your normal day. In these circumstances you can come to an individual arrangement with the parent/carer
You can also charge for activities and transport, such as trips off site that incur an additional cost or pick-ups/drop offs. However, these additional costs should not disadvantage any parent who is unable to pay for this additional service and only needs the Flying Start session.
You can also charge for activities and transport, such as trips off site that incur an additional cost or pick-ups/drop offs. However, these additional costs should not disadvantage any parent who is unable to pay for this additional service and only needs the Flying Start session.
What are family days?
A minimum of 15 sessions (3 weeks) of flexible childcare and/or play provided for the child or family during the school holidays.
This can be a trip/family day during holidays or weekends. If the time period exceeds 4 hours (including travel time), a double session can be claimed. This will give flexibility to the provider to engage in community events when appropriate.
Can I request that parents pay for their Flying Start hours in advance, then reimburse them when payment comes through from the local authority?
No. The Flying Start childcare placement is aimed at supporting families, particularly lower income families who would not otherwise be able to afford childcare costs. Charging parents in advance of services received could exclude those parents most in need of support as they may well not be able to afford it.
Will Flying Start childcare funding cover non direct childcare costs, such as a holiday retainer or an upfront administration or holding fee?
No. The Flying Start childcare funding relates only to the direct provision of childcare. When submitting your application to express your interest to deliver Flying Start childcare, you do so on the understanding that the place is usually term time only and you should adjust your policies and charges accordingly.
Do providers still get paid if the child is sick?
Yes. Flying Start childcare funding will cover the costs of the hours booked, even where the child does not attend. However, attendance is monitored, and the family will be supported to attend. You should encourage good attendance and discuss with the parent if there are patterns of non-attendance to check the sessions fit the family’s needs. If the family are open to children’s services, you should contact the social worker. You are expected to tell us if there are consistent patterns of unexplained non-attendance over a two-month period.
Can childcare providers in the Carmarthenshire provide Flying Start childcare to children from other local authority areas?
Yes, however you will need to discuss the potential funding with the relevant local authority. Carmarthenshire cannot fund children who live outside of the County.
What if the child lives half the week with mum in Ceredigion and half the week with dad in Carmarthenshire?
The funding will depend on where the child lives for most of the week. For example, if the child lives with mum in Ceredigion Monday to Thursday and dad in Carmarthenshire Friday to Sunday, the mum will need to be the nominated lead and the application must be made to Ceredigion as the majority of residency and both local authorities informed.
Funding cannot be claimed from both local authorities for the same child
.
Funding cannot be claimed from both local authorities for the same child
.
Can a parent choose any Flying Start approved childcare setting?
Yes. If the child has been approved for Flying Start childcare, we will fund the placement at any approved Flying Start childcare setting. It does not need to be the childcare provider closest to where they live.
Will we be less likely to have any grants if we do not sign up for Flying Start?
No not necessarily. However, when grants are oversubscribed, the areas where expansion of provision (places or funded provision) is needed will be prioritised. This will be clear in the terms and conditions of the grant and the priorities identified within it.
How long does it take to be accepted as a Flying Start provider?
It will depend on the volume of providers applying at the same time, as well as how quickly the provider can pass the pre-delivery checks. However, the early years team are all working together to approve settings as quickly as possible.
The opportunity to submit expressions of interest will remain open so settings can join if they wish.
– Settings will need to apply to be approved.
– The Advisor will support the setting to develop a Setting Action Plan.
– Once the key actions needed are achieved the setting will be approved to deliver Flying Start places.
– The setting will continue to work on other actions in their action plan to continuously improve quality in their provision. They will be able to deliver Flying Start places while doing this.
– Settings will have lots of support throughout the process and ongoing support once they are delivering Flying Start places
.
The opportunity to submit expressions of interest will remain open so settings can join if they wish.
– Settings will need to apply to be approved.
– The Advisor will support the setting to develop a Setting Action Plan.
– Once the key actions needed are achieved the setting will be approved to deliver Flying Start places.
– The setting will continue to work on other actions in their action plan to continuously improve quality in their provision. They will be able to deliver Flying Start places while doing this.
– Settings will have lots of support throughout the process and ongoing support once they are delivering Flying Start places
.
Are childcare providers expected to offer settling in sessions for new children starting, and if during those sessions a provider has concerns about a child, where do they go for advice?
We would encourage settling in sessions. Many children may be experiencing childcare for the first time and so it is important to explain to the parent that they may need shorter sessions to start and build up over the first week or so.
If you have concerns about a child, you should discuss the concerns with the parent and seek advice from the childcare advisory team
.
If you have concerns about a child, you should discuss the concerns with the parent and seek advice from the childcare advisory team
.
If a child is eligible for Flying Start childcare but is already in a childcare setting that does not offer Flying Start, can they move setting?
Yes, if the parent wishes to benefit from the funding, they may decide to move to a setting that is contracted to provide Flying Start. They would be required to give notice to their existing setting under their existing contract, before making plans to move. However, this is the parent’s choice, and they may decide to stay where they are and forgo the funding.
How does payment work?
We operate a fixed price model;
£16.00 per session for providers based in Flying Start local authority venues and £17.00 per session for providers based in their own setting.
– Providers will be paid monthly in arrears.
– Paid per session, per child for the number of registered sessions
.
£16.00 per session for providers based in Flying Start local authority venues and £17.00 per session for providers based in their own setting.
– Providers will be paid monthly in arrears.
– Paid per session, per child for the number of registered sessions
.
How does the claims process work?
– Each provider has their own private and secure ‘channel’ on Teams (help can be provided)
– A monthly claim form is uploaded by Flying Start to the provider’s channel.
– The provider inputs the children attending onto the “live” claim form (filling out child details and attendance) by the 3rd of the following month.
– Flying Start check the form for accuracy, correct payment amounts and to ensure it would satisfy audit requirements
– Form is then passed to finance for payment
.
– A monthly claim form is uploaded by Flying Start to the provider’s channel.
– The provider inputs the children attending onto the “live” claim form (filling out child details and attendance) by the 3rd of the following month.
– Flying Start check the form for accuracy, correct payment amounts and to ensure it would satisfy audit requirements
– Form is then passed to finance for payment
.
What if a child is registered for less than 5 days per week, how can they utilise their full entitlement?
In these circumstances each case is looked at individually, sessions should be for
2.5 hours per day, 5 days a week, so that the child gets the maximum benefit from the programme.
However, in some circumstances, parents may wish to use 2 sessions a day (this equates to 5 hours) to support their needs. If this situation arises, please contact the Flying Start team to approve this request.
2.5 hours per day, 5 days a week, so that the child gets the maximum benefit from the programme.
However, in some circumstances, parents may wish to use 2 sessions a day (this equates to 5 hours) to support their needs. If this situation arises, please contact the Flying Start team to approve this request.
Please do not proceed without prior approval.
What if a child lives in an original Flying Start area and wishes to attend your setting?
The original Flying Start areas include services from the four core strands of the programme. The childcare element has been tendered therefore places are allocated to providers who are contracted on the framework.
The contract issued after you submitted an expression of interest is to provide childcare to families living in the phase 2 expansion areas only.
We are a full-time day nursery, but the Flying Start funding is term time. Can we insist that parents attend all year-round, and then net the funding off against the parent's fees?
If you sign up to the contract for delivery of Flying Start, you will need to look at how you can offer the term time only part time provision in your business model. It may be worth talking to your Childcare Officer to have further discussions; however, you cannot require parents to sign up for longer than the Flying Start hours.
This is the same principle if parents only wish to attend for the 2.5 hour session and they do not wish to book a full day place and pay for additional hours. You will need to consider your business model and how you will be able to offer the sessional provision.
This is the same principle if parents only wish to attend for the 2.5 hour session and they do not wish to book a full day place and pay for additional hours. You will need to consider your business model and how you will be able to offer the sessional provision.
What about staff training and 'inset' days? How is this organised?
There is access to a lot of training under the Flying Start programme. There will be a range of support and you will need to look at your setting and staff needs and work with your childcare advisory team to identify training needs and times suitable to release staff.
What happens if we decide we don't want to deliver the Flying Start contract?
You will be able to continue with fee paying parents, but you will not be able to deliver funded sessions for Flying Start.
If you still have queries that haven’t been answered above. Please contact Flying Start Carmarthenshire on 01554 742447
Address
Flying Start
Old Morfa Infants School
New Street
Morfa
Llanelli
SA15 2DQ
Telephone
01554 742447
