Episode 2 – Introduction to the Well-being Developmental Pathway with Charlotte Thrussle of Cylch Meithrin Bro Alun.
This is the second in our Baby Steps into the Curriculum series by Mudiad Meithrin, a series of podcasts offering a chance to learn more about what the new Curriculum for Wales means to the children, staff and families of Mudiad Meithrin.
In this episode, presenter Nia Parry talks to Charlotte Thrussle, Manager of Cylch Meithrin Bro Alun in the Wrexham area, who has been in the role for 4 years. From our talk it’s obvious that Cylch Meithrin Bro Alun is a bustling and happy place, and one which has helped a number of staff and families in Wrexham to speak Welsh – with help from the children themselves!
Charlotte welcomes the new Curriculum and has experienced how the children in her Cylch Meithrin have benefitted from it:
“It’s great! The children and staff love the new Curriculum. It reminds us that each child has their own voice and needs, and the new Curriculum supports this. It allows children to be themselves, and offers even more experiences and opportunities for each child to develop and gain confidence in the Cylch.”
During this episode Charlotte focussed on Well-being, one of the five Developmental Pathways in the new Curriculum. We hear how the Well-being journey begins before the children start at Cylch;
“It begins in the open evenings, we invite children and their families into the cylch to ensure that the children get to know the staff, to see where they’ll be and that they feel safe in the space. We also share pictures of the setting and the staff with them, so that when they start at the Cylch they will feel at home and happy. The well-being of the children and their families is important to us.”
Listening to the voice of the child is one of the developments of the new Curriculum, and Charlotte shared how Cylch Meithrin Bro Alun has adapted snack time in response to this;
“We put ourselves in the child’s situation. Each child, like each adult, gets hungry at different times, so instead of all having our snack at the same time, the children are now able to have their snack whenever they’re ready.”
Charlotte believes that the new Curriculum permits the children to have more freedom to make decisions and be more independent, and that this promotes the child’s well-being;
“Little things like opening the door to allow them to choose between playing inside or outside, makes a difference. Over time they see why and when they need a coat, and then they fetch their coats and wellies independently, they gain confidence and it’s more powerful than someone making the decision for them.”
Talking about feelings is an important element of the Well-being Developmental Pathway, and Charlotte discussed how the Curriculum inspired them to develop different situations where children may comfortably talk about their feelings.
“Amser Cylch is an opportunity to discuss our different feelings, but not every child wants to share how they feel in front of everyone. We now have different areas, like a cosy corner with cushions and fairy lights. Creating a different, cosy atmosphere in different areas of the Cylch means that the children can find somewhere that feels comfortable for them. If they want to share something or discuss how they feel they’re more likely to do this in somewhere where they feel comfortable.”
Charlotte says that the children are thriving and have settled quicker as a result of the new Curriculum;
“Since we introduced elements of the new Curriculum the children have settled quicker than usual. Parents tell us that the children are full of stories about what they’ve been doing, – that promotes the parents’ well-being too. Ensuring the happiness of everyone involved with the Cylch is very important to us.”
Baby Steps into the Curriculum is a Bengo Media and Llais Cymru production for Mudiad Meithrin. To listen to this episode and others in the series, go to www.podfollow.com/babystepsintowelsh
