Community

First Minister highlights importance of childcare

Published

11 years ago

May 1, 2015

Tom Sinclair

First Minister Carwyn Jones: Chatting with some of the children at the centre

WELSH LABOUR LEADER Carwyn Jones today visited a Flying Start centre in Pembrokeshire to highlight Labour’s pledge to introduce 10 extra hours of free childcare for working parents of three and four year olds if Labour wins May’s General Election.
Labour investment contrasts with the Tories who have slashed funding for Sure Start provision in England resulting in the loss of 40,000 childcare places and the closure of 720 Sure Start centres.
Welsh Labour leader and First Minister, Carwyn Jones AM, said: “These are difficult times for many families in Wales, with parents working hard in order to make ends meet. Labour’s plans to introduce 10 extra hours of free childcare for working parents of three and four year olds will be a huge relief to those struggling to balance family time and work. We know too that the lack of affordable childcare can be a barrier to mums returning to work. In Wales we have recognised this and have invested in Foundation Phase scheme which will help transform the futures of children across Wales. The number of children benefitting from Flying Start provision under Labour has increased from 18,000 to 33,000 in this Assembly. Contrasting with harsh cuts by the Tories to Sure Start in England which has seen 720 centres close and the loss of 40,000 childcare places. This election is a choice between a Labour government that boost childcare provision and help parents back to work, or a Tory government with extreme spending plans and a commitment to slash education funding.”
He added: “I’m here to emphasise the importance of childcare, we’re in a childcare setting, and also the benefits from Flying Start, the Welsh Government scheme. We know that one of the major obstacles people will have to overcome to get back to work is what they do with children and being able to provide affordable childcare is really important to help people earn money and get back to work. We’ve already doubled the number of children who are entitled to Flying Start which is one of the schemes we run. It has been extremely successful and I have heard today how successful that has been where children development mentally a way ahead of where they should be which is great news and the pleasure to be made in terms of increasing access to childcare. When our children were young, having childcare was a really important issue and it’s that way for many people. What we want to do is make sure that where people have the opportunity to work, we know that work is the best way out of poverty, and people have that opportunity to work and that we do as much as we can for them to remove any barriers that prevent them from working. We want to make sure that we (Wales) have the same offer as is in place in England. We don’t want our children to be in a different position. We are already ahead of England in that sense. One of the things we did of course was to introduce Flying Start. In England they did it the other way, getting rid of sure start, and that meant that many families didn’t have the extra help that children needed. We take the view we want to give the best start in life to our kids.”
Labour candidate for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, Delyth Evans, said: “Families across the constituency tell me that the cost of childcare is a huge issue for them. Labour’s plan to double free childcare will be a real help to families who are working hard and still struggling to make ends meet. It shows that Labour is listening to families and taking action to tackle the issues that matter to them.”

Community

Public invited to Port of Milford Haven annual stakeholder meeting

Published

4 hours ago

July 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MEMBERS of the public are being invited to hear about the Port of Milford Haven’s latest projects, investments and future plans at its annual stakeholder meeting this week.

The event will take place in the Atrium at Sybil House, Milford Waterfront, from 2pm on Thursday, July 30.

Representatives from the Port’s leadership team will provide updates on recent achievements, current investment programmes and planned developments across the Milford Haven Waterway.

A dedicated question-and-answer session will also give residents, businesses and community organisations an opportunity to raise issues and speak directly with Port representatives.

Anna Malloy, Communications and Marketing Director at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “Our annual stakeholder meeting is an important opportunity to share progress, discuss our plans for the future and hear directly from the organisations and communities we work with and live in.

“We encourage anyone with an interest in the Port and the wider Milford Haven Waterway to join us for what promises to be an informative and engaging afternoon.”

Following the meeting, attendees will be invited to The Old Rectory Bar and Bistro at Milford Waterfront for coffee, cake and networking between 4pm and 5pm.

Places can be booked through the Port of Milford Haven’s online registration page. Questions can also be submitted in advance as part of the booking process.

Community

Nearly 300 Pembrokeshire pupils explore Milford Haven Waterway

Published

5 hours ago

July 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Boat trips gave primary school children the chance to learn about water safety, marine wildlife and the environment on their doorstep

NEARLY 300 primary school pupils have taken to the water as part of an education programme designed to help young people learn more about the Milford Haven Waterway.

The Port of Milford Haven worked with Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools to provide a series of educational boat trips for Year 4 pupils from schools across the county.

During the trips, children learned about water safety, the local marine environment and the wide variety of wildlife found in and around the Waterway.

Participating schools included Pennar Community School, Cleddau Reach VC School, Golden Grove School in Pembroke, Milford Haven Community Primary School and Monkton Priory Community Primary School.

Emily Jones, engagement executive at the Port of Milford Haven, joined pupils on the trips and said the programme offered children valuable learning experiences outside the classroom.

She said: “It was fantastic to see the children enjoying time on the water while learning new facts about the environment, wildlife and water safety.

“The Port is committed to creating opportunities for young people to access new experiences, develop their knowledge and build confidence around the Waterway.

“This project has been a wonderful way to support those aims while helping pupils connect with the unique environment on their doorstep.”

Bryony Rees, Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools co-ordinator, said the trips had helped bring classroom learning to life.

She said: “It was a pleasure to facilitate the Waterway boat trips with the Port of Milford Haven and local schools, taking learning beyond the classroom and bringing the curriculum to life.

“The engagement and enthusiasm shown by the pupils and teachers highlights the success of these fantastic trips.”

The primary school programme ran alongside a separate community initiative funded by the Port, which enabled more than 200 Year 8 pupils from the Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock areas to experience the Waterway.

As well as spending time on the water, the secondary school pupils heard from local industry professionals about their work, career pathways and the range of employment opportunities connected to the Waterway.

The Port of Milford Haven said it invested £426,000 in community activity during 2025. Its programmes are intended to encourage the safe and enjoyable use of the Waterway, support young people in developing skills and confidence, and contribute to a sustainable and resilient local environment.

Photo caption: Pupils from Cleddau Reach VC School enjoy an educational trip on the Milford Haven Waterway.

Community

Pembrokeshire pupils take the plunge to learn lifesaving water safety skills

Published

6 hours ago

July 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Almost 400 children from eight local primary schools have taken part in practical coastal safety sessions in Dale

ALMOST 400 Pembrokeshire pupils have been taught essential skills that could help save their lives during a programme delivered by Windswept CIC.

Year 5 and Year 6 children from eight primary schools attended sessions in Dale throughout June and July, learning how to stay safe in and around the sea.

The programme, funded by the Port of Milford Haven, taught pupils how to recognise beach warning flags, understand the risks of cold-water shock and use the RNLI’s Float to Live technique.

Children were also shown how to call for help during an emergency and given practical experience of entering and moving through open water safely.

Schools taking part included Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary School, Coastlands Community Primary School, St Francis Catholic Primary School, Milford Haven Community Primary School, Broad Haven Community Primary School, Waldo Williams Primary School, Gelliswick Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School and Cleddau Reach Voluntary Controlled School.

Emily Jones, Stakeholder Engagement Executive at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “These sessions delivered by the Windswept team provide invaluable knowledge and practical skills for young people who live, learn and spend time around our coastline.

“As a Port, we are committed to supporting initiatives that help educate young people about water safety and build their confidence in coastal environments.

“We are delighted that so many schools have engaged with this important programme.”

The sessions formed part of Swim Safe, an accredited educational programme developed by the RNLI and Swim Wales for schools and community groups.

It gives participants practical experience of outdoor water environments while teaching them how to recognise risks and respond during an emergency.

Sarah West, director of Windswept CIC, said: “We believe every child should have the opportunity to enjoy the water safely and with confidence.

“Living in Pembrokeshire, young people grow up surrounded by the coast, so understanding the risks and knowing how to respond in an emergency are skills that could one day save their lives.

“Through Swim Safe, we aim to give children practical experience in the water while building confidence, awareness and respect for the marine environment.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the Port of Milford Haven for supporting this programme and helping us reach hundreds of local children with these vital skills.”

The Port of Milford Haven said it invested almost £500,000 in community initiatives during 2025 as part of its commitment to supporting local people and strengthening communities.

Photo caption:

Pembrokeshire primary school pupils took part in water safety sessions delivered by Windswept CIC in Dale.