A NEW childcare centre for Risca children has been opened by Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, thanks to £175,000 of Welsh Government funding.

Based at Risca Community Comprehensive School, the centre will provide childcare places to 48 children living in the local area.

It will also host a team of health visitors, nursery nurses, family support workers and provide space to run various programmes such as early language development and parenting groups.

Flying Start aims to make a difference to the lives of children under the age of four and their families.

It offers parents free part-time quality childcare for two to three-year-olds, parenting support, an improved health visitor service and help for early language development.

A recent report found more than 31,000 children in Wales benefited from Flying Start services last year - an increase of a third on the previous year.

Ms Griffiths 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.

“Our commitment can be seen right across Wales where tens of thousands of children and their families are benefiting.”