Episode 5 – Introduction to the Belonging Developmental Pathway with Hannah Rowley of Cylch Meithrin Nant Dyrys.

 

This is the fifth episode of the Baby Steps into the Curriculum series. A series of podcasts explaining what the new Curriculum for Wales means to the children, staff and families of Mudiad Meithrin.

Talking with Nia this time was Hannah Rowley, Deputy Leader of Cylch Meithrin Nant Dyrys in Cwm Rhondda, and the discussion focussed on the Belonging Developmental Pathway.

Hannah obviously loves her job in the Cylch Meithrin and admits that she and the other Bopas (Aunties) in the Cylch Meithrin think the world of the children. “We love them and respect them as we do our own kids.”

Having had her own children at 21, Hannah returned to the world of education age 24 and following a period volunteering in the Cylch Meithrin and earning a BA in Childhood Studies, she says that a permanent role in the cylch was a dream come true, with the development of the new Curriculum being the icing on the cake!

“The new Curriculum puts children at the heart of everything, promoting their well-being and giving us the freedom to create exciting learning experiences for the Cylch Meithrin’s children. It’s great!”

Hannah strongly believes that the Belonging Developmental Pathway is vital to the new Curriculum;

“For me, ‘belonging’ is about the feeling of love, feeling safe, and feeling that you are appreciated. This is so important to young children. If they don’t feel as though they belong, then they can’t settle, can’t enjoy themselves and develop and can’t show us what they can do.”

We hear about a number of ways in which the cylch responds to the Belonging Developmental Pathway; for example, allowing the children to register themselves using pegs they decorated at home – creating a link between the home and the cylch. We also hear about the important role the Mudiad’s characters Dewin and Doti play in helping some children settle during the early days in the cylch;

“Leaving their homes and families is a big thing for children. One boy had been very unhappy and sad for his first month, but once he found the Dewin puppet and had a chat with it then he started to smile and relax. Overnight, there was a feeling of belonging to the cylch. Every child is different and that’s what’s great about the new Curriculum being child-centered.”

Nia asked her how Mudiad Meithrin emphasises a feeling of belonging to the local area:

“It’s important to feel that you belong to your local area and have opportunities to meet local people. We go for a walk to the local hair salon and doctors’ surgery regularly and the children have developed a relationship with the staff, with the area itself and have developed all kinds of new skills.”

As a mother, Nia was interested to ask Hannah how the Mudiad ensures a relationship between parents and the Cylch Meithrin;

“The Bopas (Aunties) extend a warm welcome to parents to come into our space regularly and have a chat. We have open days and ensure regular contact with parents. They tell us that they feel a part of the journey with their children, and feel that they are part of the cylch.”

There’s no doubting that Hannah is passionate about the new Curriculum. She believes that the relationship with the staff in the Mudiad will continue for many years, and that proves a strong feeling of belonging within the cylchoedd;

“For years after they leave the cylch children and parents continue to run up to us on the street, continue to call us Bopas (Aunties), and this is really special. It proves that the love and care they get from us stays with them, and is an important and happy part of their personal journey. It’s a special relationship.”

 

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/babysteps

Hannah Rowley