A new Flying Start childcare centre has been opened in Risca.
Based at Risca Community Comprehensive School, the centre will provide childcare places to 48 children living in the area. The centre will also host a team of health visitors, nursery nurses and family support workers and provide space for various groups.
The Flying Start scheme is aimed at families with children under the age of four and offers parents free part-time childcare, parenting support, a health visitor service and help for early language development.
The new centre was made possible after £175,000 worth of Welsh Government funding.
Speaking at the opening of the new centre last week, Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty said: “Flying Start is one of the Welsh Government’s top priorities. We are committed to ensuring children and families living in some of our most disadvantaged communities are given support to ensure they have the best possible start in life.”
More than 1,200 children benefit from Flying Start across Caerphilly County Borough with the council awarded £3.5 million of Welsh Government funding for the scheme between 2012 and 2015.