Dawn Bowden, Minister for Children and Social Care visited Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs’ member club, Groes-Wen, based in South Wales. With thanks to Welsh Government funding, Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs have supported Groes-Wen’s local community, and others pan-Wales, to experience first-hand the benefit of Welsh-medium, Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) registered childcare.

Minister for Children and Social Care Dawn Bowden said: “It was a pleasure to visit Clwb Groes Wen with Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids Club today and see how Welsh Government funding has helped boost quality, Welsh-medium out of school childcare. I know how important childcare is to families, and clubs like this play a vital part in our childcare sector, supporting children to socialise, have fun and grow while helping parents across Wales to balance work and family commitments.”

Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs have developed its ‘CYMell’ project, which translates to ‘motivate’. The project aims to reinforce the Welsh language through quality Out of School Childcare, enriching children through play and socialisation, whilst also providing vital support to the wider economy. With local provision of these childcare services, the project delivers social, economic, environmental and cultural benefits. It also contributes to several of the goals of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act.

The project supports unregistered Welsh-medium, and bilingual Out of School Childcare settings to become registered with CIW.  CIW registered settings will be able to enhance their services and affordability as they become able to deliver The Childcare Offer and Tax-Free Childcare.

The project helps aspiring Playworkers to access fully funded Welsh-medium Playwork training. Since the start, Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs have awarded 29 grants to support settings to register with CIW, delivered 208 Playwork qualifications, and awarded 163 bursaries allowing settings to pay staff to attend the Playwork training.

Jane O’Toole, Chief Executive Officer of Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs, stated ‘Welsh is a living language, and children should be supported to use the language in their communities. Our community of Out of School Childcare Clubs reaches a wide audience that will be able to share the Cymraeg 2050 message with families, playworkers, and the broader community’.

As part of CWLWM, Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs have developed a Welsh Promise designed especially for childcare and play settings, the scheme helps settings work towards being able provide Welsh Government’s ‘Active Offer’. O’Toole added, ‘Play, being the culture of childhood, acts as a universal language that unities children from diverse backgrounds and needs. The synergy between play, learning and the Cymraeg 2050 goal highlights the importance of play in cultural and linguistic development.

Notes:

• The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act : There are 7 connected well-being goals for Wales: A prosperous Wales, a resilient Wales, a healthier Wales, a more equal Wales, a Wales of more cohesive communities, a Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language and a globally responsible Wales.
• Find out more about Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs
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