Welsh language and out of school childcare

Published: 06/12/24 | Categories: Information & support, Author: Sian James

Sian James from Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs talks us through their work to ensure children and families can access play opportunities and childcare in their preferred language.

Our vision, at Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs is a Wales where children play, and communities prosper. Through our expertise and knowledge within the Out of School Childcare sector, we give Playworkers the tools to raise the standards of Out of School Childcare.

We at Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs embrace the Welsh language as an integral part of the work that we do with a strategic objective to realise the ‘increased use of the Welsh language, allowing children and families to access play opportunities and childcare in their preferred language, preserving the language for future generations.’

CYNNIG CYMRAEG

In 2022 we worked closely with the Welsh Language Commissioners Office to achieve our own Cynnig Cymraeg demonstrating our commitment to the Welsh language. Through the Cynnig Cymraeg we have been able to proudly showcase our Welsh services, as well as continuously improving those we provide, meeting the need of Welsh speaking clubs.

Achieving our own Cynnig Cymraeg enabled us to identify the challenges that the Childcare and Playworkers faced when it came to the Welsh language. The Cynnig Cymraeg motivated us to increase the Welsh services available for parents as well as to support settings to increase the use of Welsh for non-Welsh speaking children and families.

WELSH LANGUAGE PROVISION

We discovered that parents struggled to find Welsh medium Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) registered After School and Holiday Childcare provision, that is both good quality and available in their local area. The scarcity of Welsh Language Playworkers also became evident. Welsh-speaking Playworkers are essential, but remain underrepresented, making it difficult for settings to maintain CIW registration and high-quality care.

We also identified through our work with the National Centre for Learning Welsh and the Camau project, how introducing the use of the Welsh language and working towards the Active Offer was a daunting process for English medium settings. Further support and guidance was required so that children and staff had opportunities to use the Welsh language.

CYMELL PROJECT

Through funding received from Welsh Government, our dedicated Welsh Language Childcare Business Development Officers (WLCBDO’s) have been able to deliver our CYMell project:

CYMell, which translates as ‘motivate’, has and continues to:

motivate unregistered Welsh medium and bilingual Out of School Childcare settings to become CIW registered
train Welsh speaking individuals in Playwork
support settings with our dedicated Welsh Language Childcare Business Development Officers to increase their use of Welsh

WELSH PROMISE

The Welsh Promise, developed by Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs and adopted by Cwlwm partners is a way for Childcare and Playwork settings to increase their use of Welsh and demonstrate their work towards the Active Offer, breaking the work down into manageable bite-sized sections.

The Promise includes an achievable action plan that, with support from our Welsh Language Development Officers, will enable everyone involved to work together effectively and inspire service users and staff to use the Welsh language for the benefit of the children and the communities where they work.

In committing to the Welsh Promise, settings have been able to develop their use of Welsh and create an environment where the language is a natural part of the setting’s offer to children.

THE IMPACT OF OUR WORK

Since the start of the CYMell project in September 2022, the work has resulted in 25 more Welsh CIW registered clubs, and an increase of three bilingual CIW registered clubs. We have delivered Welsh language Playwork training to 193 learners which in turn, supports families in accessing Welsh-medium childcare that also meets their needs and aligns with CIW standards.

The Welsh Promise has also proven to be an invaluable resource to Childcare and Play settings across Wales to support them to increase their use of Welsh and to work towards the Active Offer. Through the CYMell funding and dedicated staff, settings have been encouraged to increase their use of Welsh with 37 achievements across the Bronze and Silver awards, and three settings achieving the Gold and their own Cynnig Cymraeg.

The CYMell project has made significant strides in increasing Welsh-medium childcare access and supporting the Welsh Government’s goals for Welsh language use. We at Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs aim to build on CYMell’s achievements to date and address emerging needs and challenges.