Back in July, the government lost a Senedd vote on additional spending plans after it failed to strike a deal with Welsh Labor.
Plaid and Welsh Labor are currently holding new budget negotiations around this year’s supplementary budget and next year’s full budget.
In an interview with BBC Walescast, Welsh Labor leader Ken Skates said: “They appear to be considering using Flying Start money to pay for something they never spent at the time of the election or in their manifesto, a childcare proposal that would benefit many middle and upper class families.
“But it will be paid for by the people and children who will benefit from Flying Start.
“I would be deeply disappointed if Plaid were not committed to the future of Flying Start.”
Asked whether any change to Flying Start would cost his party support for the budget, Skates said: “For us as a party, I think that should be a red line.
“If Plaid Cymru think they can take the best of Flying Start and apply it to different areas, I fear they will be letting people down badly.
“So, my fear is that if they are talking about Flying Start, then they will have to do it on their own without our consent or support, and they will not get budget approval from us.”
Steffan Evans, chief executive of the Bevan Foundation, said: “The majority of children living in poverty do not live in Flying Start areas.
“So if we want to have a child care system that helps children’s development in terms of education and getting parents back to work and helps these children living in poverty, I think you really have to make a compromise in terms of how it works.
“And that may mean aiming for something more universal to reach more children, rather than something that is perfect but only solves part of the problem.”
Reform Minister for Justice, Families and Communities Christiane Emslie said: “Plaid Cymru is raising the issue of cutting funding for vulnerable children while continuing to spend money on overseas embassies, its Sanctuary Nation program and tree planting in Uganda.
“At a time when families across Wales are struggling with the cost of living and children need support, it is clear Plaid has his priorities wrong.”
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “Our proposal means childcare will be more accessible and affordable for all families.
“The current phase of maternity care, which will provide funded childcare for all two-year-olds, is being delivered under the Flying Start model.
“At the same time, our proposal will expand the support available to disadvantaged children.
“We will need to significantly increase the number of providers to ensure families have child care options that are right for them.
“All of these issues are being discussed by the Childcare Expert Group as we work to roll out the next stage of this ambitious policy.”
