A new Flying Start playgroup was opened officially on Thursday at the Meads Infants School in Milford Haven.

Flying Start is the Welsh Government’s flagship early years programme, which aims to give children in deprived areas a head start before they begin school.

It includes four core elements – free quality childcare for two to three year olds, parenting support, intensive health visiting and support for early language development.

The playgroup was opened by AM Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty.

The Minister said she was delighted to open the centre, and spent time chatting to parents, children and staff about their plans and the facilities there.

The playgroup is sited next to the Meads Infants School and has been funded by the Welsh Government through its Flying Start programme.

Cllr Sue Perkins, Cabinet Member for Education and Safeguarding, thanked the Minister for joining them. She said Pembrokeshire County Council is committed to the Flying Start programme and rolling it out to as many areas as possible.

“Giving a child a flying start in life can change the education and life experience for that child,” said Cllr Perkins.

“It was wonderful to see the children today taking full advantage of the fantastic facilities at the Meads.” She went on to personally thank all the staff for their hard work and commitment.

The new building has been designed by the County Council’s in house design team using an innovative structurally insulated panel (SIP) system.

The design also uses high levels of natural lighting and ventilation to improve its efficiency.

The centre, which has been built by Haverfordwest-based building contractor, WJG Evans, has one classroom as well as facilities.

In Pembrokeshire, the Flying Start programme has been operational in the Pembroke and Pembroke Dock areas since 2008, supporting 660 children and their families at any one time.

The programme rolled out to Milford Haven in 2013 and more recently, Haverfordwest, supporting an additional 449 children and their families.

The programme aims to support families with children who are under four years of age in some of the most deprived areas in Wales.

Minister Lesley Griffiths said: “Flying Start changes people’s lives and is one of my key priorities. We are committed to ensuring families living in some of our most disadvantaged communities are given support to ensure children have the best possible start in life.”