CHILDREN and their families are well supported by council-run centres in three of Ceredigion's market towns – including Cardigan and Llandysul - with extra support coming from a successful Flying Start outreach policy, says a report.

Ceredigion cabinet members discussed the annual report of the county's integrated children centres and campuses which aim to provide "multi-agency services that are effective, integrated,-co-located and responsive to the local community's needs."

Cabinet member for children services and culture Cllr Catherine Hughes told the meeting the reports ensured the centres were "fit for purpose and effective."

The services at Canolfan Enfys Teifi in Cardigan, Ty Tysul in Llandysul and the Integrated Campus in Aberystwyth aimed to "lessen the detrimental effects on young people."

"In this way, it is hoped that every child has a flying start in life and the best possible basis for their future growth and development," said Cllr Hughes.

The four areas focused on by the centres are integrated family support and health services, early years education and quality childcare, open access play as well as community training and learning.

Canolfan Enfys Teifi, the first centre to open in 2006, received Welsh Government grant funding to build an extension in 2014 to cope with increasing demand and further Flying Start funding will be used to make a contribution to the three-19 school campus in Llandysul.

This, Cllr Hughes said, was to "ensure that the childcare facilities and meeting room on site are fit for purpose."

The council is waiting to hear if a bid for funding to replace a temporary building with a permanent structure at Llwyn yr Eos school site will be approved.

Council leader Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn said "excellent services are provided."

"It's excellent to see them going from strength to strength," she added.

Cabinet also approved the Flying Start Outreach policy for 2018-19 which the most deprived areas of Ceredigion including parts of Penparcau, Cardigan, Llanarth, Llandysul and Aberporth.

It focuses on children under four and aims to deliver enhanced health visitor support with some ante-natal provision, quality childcare, parenting support through one-to-one and group programmes, early years language development and outreach - those referred from outside the Flying Start areas.