Blog: Using Bilingualism in English medium Early Year, Childcare and Play settings

Many early years, childcare and play providers use some Welsh in their setting; from counting the number of children present during circle time to displaying Welsh words on their displays.

These are all great steps to introducing the Welsh language in your childcare setting, but should be treated as just that…steps in the right direction. Rather than treating Welsh language as a tick box exercise, many English-medium settings are recognising the importance of demonstrating good practice when using Welsh.

There is an abundance of organisations out there that can help English-medium settings to develop bilingualism. As well as your umbrella organisation (Early Years Wales, NDNA Cymru, PACEY Cymru or Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs) Mudiad Meithrin, Menter Iaith, the National Centre for Learning Welsh and the Family Information Services are other sources of support to name but a few.  Contact one of us and ask for a list of links to support.

Using the Welsh language poses many hurdles for English-medium settings, ranging from the language skills of staff, their confidence to use the language and monetary issues such as cost for translation and buying of resources. There are ways to overcome these issues with good practice, planning and support resources, many of which are freely available through your umbrella organisation (Early Years Wales, NDNA Cymru, Pacey Cymru and Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs).

Experts say that it is best to learn an additional language when young; in fact, the younger a child can become immersed in a language the better and to many English-speaking families living in Wales, the truth is indeed that Welsh is an additional language.

The Treehouse Day Nursery, has recognised the benefits of introducing Welsh as young as possible, and, with careful planning has transformed the nursery from being solely English medium to a setting that provides excellent bilingual opportunities for their children.  Assessing staff skills and planning for a bilingual workforce has meant they are able to have at least one fluent Welsh speaker accompanied by Welsh learners in each room, allowing them to introduce Welsh to each child incidentally and through carefully considered activities. Early Years Wales' Support Co-ordinator, Siobhan Chambers noted that ‘the language is not just seen and heard, but used by all staff with children of all ages’.

Of course, not every setting is lucky to have a team of Welsh speakers at their disposal to fully immerse children in the language. In a county, such as Bridgend, with a small percentage of Welsh speakers (9.7%), recruiting Welsh speakers can be difficult, and in turn, so can introducing the language into daily practices.

Training opportunities to develop the Welsh language skills of Early Years practitioners are available through a variety of outlets, one of which is Work Welsh, an online taster course that will enable practitioners to meet and greet others, amongst other basic skills. Employers can sign up for this course by visiting https://learnwelsh.cymru/work-welsh/online-taster-course/
 

---

Over the past few months the National Centre for Learning Welsh (NCfLW) has been assessing the Early Years workforce through telephone and online assessments, which many of you have taken part in; if you have yet to take part and wish to do so, please contact your umbrella organisation. The information gathered will be used to develop a number of training opportunities over the coming year.

We are excited for the upcoming launch of the Diagnostic Tool, which will be available via National Centre for Learning Welsh’s website which will allow you to assess the language skills of you and your staff possess and will signpost you to the most relevant course and will eliminate some of the fears learners have regarding ability. Please look out for updates from your umbrella organisation or stay up to date by visiting https://learnwelsh.cymru/

Engaging Welsh-speaking parents can be a great way of introducing Welsh in English-medium provisions, with the added benefits of parents feeling part of the provision and knowing that the Welsh language is valued, even if staff only have basic skills.

 

---

 

The Burrows Day Nursery have a small number of staff who have basic oral Welsh skills but very limited Welsh writing skills and, to compensate for this, involve parents in the translation of topic relevant basic vocabulary and newsletters.  This allows the nursery to support the children with the development of the language and engage parents on a personal level, develop a basic level of Welsh in their provision at no cost and encourage staff to further their understanding.

The availability and use of resources is a common hurdle for English-medium settings Little Tigers Playgroup as well as many other provisions use Ticw, a resource that includes a variety of simple Welsh books and an accompanying bear called Ticw (available from Flintshire Borough Council) to expand on the level of Welsh used throughout their practice. Ticw will join the children in their activities and through the staff converse with the children in Welsh, reminding them of Welsh vocabulary and asking questions. Ticw often makes visits home with one of his stories and some songs.  Ladybirds Playgroup also encourage and support parents to engage with the Welsh language through their book club scheme. The scheme involves sending books home with children with resources such as vocabulary lists and songs relevant to the stories to support parents in their child’s Welsh language development and build on partnership working between parent and setting, great for ensuring the child hears the language at home as well as at the setting.

With a strong commitment to promoting Welsh Language Development, childminder Julie has recently completed her seventh year of Welsh language training and is progressing with her linguistic skills.  Registered as a bilingual setting and with bilingual information published to promote the service, opportunities to incorporate the Welsh language across all areas of the service are taken.

In additional to ensuring that children within the setting are encouraged and supported in developing their Welsh language skills, childminder Julie has also taken steps to increase Welsh language opportunities within the wider community.  Having established a bilingual weekly musical group for parents/carers and children at the local community hall.  Open to members of the community, the provision is regularly attended by between 10 and 15 children fully bilingual.

Julie says: ‘Learning Welsh has had a positive impact on my business. I have parents choose me for my Welsh language provision, although the children will attend English medium schools, simply to give their children a better start and in knowing they’ll study Welsh in school whichever one they go to.’ and ‘The best feeling is when children bring back their Welsh speaker of the week certificates from school, I know I’ve had a good part to get them to that level.’