A Deiniolen nursery has opened new facilities as part of an expansion of childcare services.

The Flying Start project, run by the Welsh Government, offers support to young children, including free childcare for two year-olds.

Cyngor Gwynedd secured nearly £600,000 of early years funding to improve facilities and introduce the scheme to the Deiniolen area.

Already, 13 children are being offered childcare at the new home to Cylch Meithrin Deiniolen, which is now able to provide more free places to two year-olds.

More than 70 children taking part in the Flying Start programme, along with their families and community leaders, attended a fun day to mark the official opening by local councillor Elfed Williams.

The new Flying Start office will be based close to the nursery, housing a dedicated health visitor, a nursery nurse, a family support officer and a play and early development officers. The health team will also be available for visits from Monday to Wednesday.

Sue Layton, a family support team leader, said: "We are pleased to bring our Family Support service to Deiniolen. Our mission is to ensure support for individuals and families in the community. We look forward to continuing to support the Deiniolen families."

Cllr Williams said: "It was great to have the opportunity to open the new site, chat with the families and to see which new resources and facilities that are now available to us locally in Deiniolen."

"I'm delighted that Cyngor Gwynedd's early years unit has worked successfully to expand the scheme – it's good news for the children and families of Deiniolen and also for one of the most deprived areas in the county."

Leia Jones, treasurer of Cylch Meithrin Deiniolen, added: "It's been an extremely busy time behind the scenes as we worked hard to establish a new cylch here at Deiniolen."

"We are delighted to announce that the cylch is now open, bringing so many opportunities to two-year-olds within the local area."

"We are grateful to Flying Start, Cyngor Gwynedd, and the Welsh Government for this valuable opportunity. This has enabled us to take in more children and to employ more staff – with five out of the current seven members living here in Deiniolen."

"We have also been able to offer apprenticeships to bring new team members in."

"We especially want to thank those who volunteered their time to help set up the new Cylch – for helping to move everything from the old site, to paint the building and to plant flowers outside. We are truly grateful."

"We look forward to seeing the Cylch go from strength to strength over the coming months and are very excited about the future."

Cllr Menna Trenholme, cabinet member for children and family support, said: "Having access to good childcare locally can make a world of difference to a child's development. Schemes like this give children the best start and also address deprivation."

"I look forward to seeing more Deiniolen children and families benefit from the scheme, and the positive impact it will have on their future."