The expansion of Flying Start, a programme that helps disadvantaged families with children up to four years old, will double the number of children and their families currently supported by the scheme from 18,000 to 36,000.
Currently there are 140 locations in Wales where parents can access Flying Start support. This will increase by a further 146 projects thanks to Welsh Assembly investment of £74m across 2013/14.
Under the Flying Start scheme, eligible parents can access free part-time childcare for their two- to three-year-olds, parenting support, an enhanced health visitor service and help for early language development.
It also supports families to look after their children’s health and well-being, working in partnership with primary and community healthcare.
The National Day Nurseries Association urged local authorities to work with private and voluntary nurseries to offer the places.
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of the NDNA, said, 'This is a significant investment by the Welsh Government to increase the coverage of Flying Start places in disadvantaged communities for children in their early years and it will be welcomed by the sector.
'Evidence gathered by NDNA on Flying Start has shown there could be a great opportunity to widen the initiative’s reach by engaging private and voluntary early years provision in local communities.
'Research among NDNA PVI nursery members has shown that only a small minority are presently able to offer Flying Start places. To ensure places are accessible and parents have a real choice of where to take up their free place, we urge local authorities to engage with all early years providers in their areas.'
Announcing the news, Welsh poverty minister Huw Lewis, said, ‘Flying Start is a flagship policy of the Welsh Government that helps families in some of our most deprived communities. This is about providing superb quality childcare and support to those who most need it to the benefit of the whole family, and importantly to allow parents the opportunity to gain new skills and look for work.'
‘Our efforts to prevent poverty start with targeting investment to give children the best possible start in life with early intervention to make sure that children have the opportunity to learn, develop and play.
‘Given the ongoing problems of the economy, combined with the impact of the UK Government’s changes to welfare that will squeeze the some of the most vulnerable, we will expand Flying Start over the next few years to target specific communities where there are high concentrations of children living in income benefit households. We want to provide the best start in life possible for all our children. This is a key part of our efforts to help the most vulnerable our society.’