Since 2005, a free place is provided for children in pre-school institutions from the term following their third birthday. In keeping with the parents’ wishes, the child can attend a nursery class at the local primary school, Play Group, day nursery or be cared for by a childminder.
The main provider of Welsh-medium early years care in the voluntary sector is Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin – the National Association of Welsh-medium Play Groups (MYM). Its aim is to give every pre-school child in Wales the opportunity to benefit from early years experiences through the medium of Welsh. It provides for children from Welsh speaking and non-Welsh speaking homes.
Parent and Toddler Groups
Parent and Toddler Groups (Cylchoedd Ti a Fi) provide parents and childminders the opportunity to meet once a week to socialise, share experiences on matters such as parenting skills and language development. It also provides children with the opportunity to play in an informal Welsh language atmosphere. You or your child don’t have to be Welsh speakers to join the local Parent and Toddler Group.
You can join in with the activities and you may learn some Welsh along the way. Some also hold ‘Welsh for the Family’ courses, which introduce Welsh Language stories, songs and nursery rhymes and simple sentences to use at home.
There are over 450 such groups across Wales. Find your local group here.
Play Groups
MYM Play Groups (Cylchoedd Meithrin) offer daily care and education sessions for children between the ages of 2 and 5. The experiences and activities of these groups are based on learning through play through the medium of Welsh.
At this age special emphasis is placed on language development and on personal, social and emotional development of the children.
There are over 500 such groups across Wales with over 10,000 children attending. Find your local Play Group here.