A FLINTSHIRE MS has welcomed the news that millions will be invested in the county’s childcare and education facilities.

Flintshire County Council has confirmed that following successful applications to the Welsh Government, over £5 million will be spent on local facilities.

The funding will be used to improve facilities at ten primary schools across the County, meaning that childcare provision can be offered alongside early years education.

This will mean families who access the Welsh Government's Childcare Offer, only have to attend one location, providing seamless and consistent childcare.

Pleased with announcement, Delyn MS Hannah Blythyn said: "Having facilities fit for the 21st century plays a huge part in providing good quality education and childcare, so this is fantastic news for children and families across Flintshire.

“This funding package shows the commitment of the Welsh Government and Flintshire County Council to providing the best possible opportunities to our future generations."

The Childcare Offer provides 30 hours of education and childcare to working families of 3-4 year olds, supporting children to develop and helping keep families in work. Each year thousands of children across Wales benefit from the Childcare Offer.

The following schools within Delyn are just some of the sites identified to receive improvements from the fund:

• Ysgol y Escob in Caerwys

• Ysgol Merllyn in Bagillt

• Ysgol Glan Aber in Bagillt

• Ysgol Bro Carmel in Carmel

• Ysgol Maes y Felin in Holywell

• Ysgol Sychdyn

• Ysgol y Llan in Whitford

Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Services, Councillor Christine Jones, said: “Parents told us that ideally they want to be able to drop their children off and pick them up from the same site and access a seamless package of childcare.

“The primary purpose of the Flintshire programme is therefore to facilitate and support the co-location of the Foundation Phase and childcare provision wherever possible.”

Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Youth, Councillor Ian Roberts, added: “This is a significant amount of funding for Flintshire and will benefit many working parents in need of pre-school childcare and offer children modern facilities in which to play, learn and develop.

“Social services colleagues have worked in full partnership with education officers on this crucial scheme and I fully support this excellent programme which will provide first class child care facilities for many children in the county.”