Matthew Dorrance Our Local Voice | Ein Llais Lleol
Planning approval has just been given for a new modular building to be constructed at Priory Church in Wales School site in Brecon.
The building funded by a Welsh Government Flying Start capital grant of £820,000.00 will provide Flying Start childcare and Foundation Phase provision as well as a multi-agency office space for professionals to support families.
The plans include two large rooms, a dedicated outdoor play space, a small office and a family contact area.
The new site will provide high quality, free Flying Start childcare for two-year-olds and will also be used to run parenting groups and training. In addition there will be space for 3 and 4 year olds to access Foundation Phase and Childcare Offer provision.
The building will also have a small multi agency office and a contact room where professionals such as Health Visitors and Speech and Language Therapists can meet families.
Additional Flying Start Capital funding and Brecon Town Council funding has been secured to build a new playground on Pendre Field. The Flying Start funding will be used to build a new playground for 0-4 year olds and the Town Council funding will be used to buy play equipment for children aged over five.
Cllr Matthew Dorrance said:
“This new Flying Start Centre and play park will help and support children and families in our community. I am delighted that the plans have taken an important step forward.
“I have been working closely with Powys County Council and Priory Church in Wales Primary School to ensure a new Flying Start Centre is delivered for the community and this is being made possible because of significant funding from the Welsh Government.
“Children and families have had a tough time throughout the Coronavirus pandemic and this exciting development shows a commitment to investing in a brighter future for local people.”
Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Rachel Powell added:
“I’m really pleased that we can now progress at pace with the plans to build the new facility and provide additional Flying Start childcare and the Foundation Phase nursery.
“This site is a good focal point of the community and a great opportunity to have services in one place. It will provide childcare as well as office and community spaces. It will allow families from Brecon to benefit from a co-ordinated and integrated approach to early help services.
“The additional funding secured for the play park from both Welsh Government and the Town Council is fantastic news for local families, who will have a great space to get outside and play.”
The building and new play park is scheduled to open for the Summer term 2022. Currently building firms are being asked to apply as part of a tender process to carry out the work which will start in the new year.
More information will follow for local families as the work progresses and how they can access the childcare provision. Families can follow @Powys Flying Start/Dechrau’n Deg Powys on Facebook for update messages.
Flying Start is a Welsh Government funded programme offered to targeted postcode areas throughout Wales. Children and their families are registered from pre- birth
and remain part of the service until the child is four years old. Help includes:
- High quality funded, parttime childcare for 2 to 3 year olds
- Enhanced Health Visiting service
- Support for children to learn to talk and communicate
- Access to parenting programmes
Families can find out if they are eligible for Flying Start here.