Mudiad Meithrin is looking for staff and apprentices to work in its playgroups and nurseries
A MAJOR RECRUITMENT DRIVE IS UNDERWAY TO EMPLOY MORE WELSH-MEDIUM CHILDCARE STAFF ACROSS WALES
JOBS ARE AVAILABLE NOW
Are you passionate about working with children and believe in giving children the best start possible by giving them the opportunity to play, learn and grow through the Welsh language?
Mudiad Meithrin is looking for part-time and full-time staff to help assist with the national shortage of Welsh-medium childcare in its Cylchoedd Meithrin (Welsh-medium playgroups) and Welsh/bilingual day nurseries.
It is also seeking motivated and enthusiastic individuals to join its apprenticeship scheme, which offers opportunities to develop and learn new skills while working with children up to the age of five.
You don’t need to have the perfect Welsh to find the perfect job. Mudiad Meithrin offers plenty of support for Welsh learners as well as fluent speakers and provides various training programmes for all levels and abilities.
WHAT IS MUDIAD MEITHRIN?
Mudiad Meithrin is the leading early year’s specialist in Wales and is passionate about giving every child the opportunity to play, learn and grow in Welsh. Its aim is to promote education and child development in children under five, through the medium of Welsh in Cylchoedd Meithrin and Cylchoedd Ti a Fi (parent/guardian and toddler groups).
Mudiad Meithrin employs more than 200 staff nationally, with a further 1,500 staff working in Cylchoedd Meithrin across Wales.
WHAT JOBS ARE AVAILABLE?
The aim of a Cylch Meithrin is to promote the education and development of children from two years old to school age while enjoying the company of other children and learning through play with competent, friendly and enthusiastic staff.
There are a variety of jobs throughout Wales, from working in Cylchoedd Meithrin or bilingual day nursery. They range from assistants, deputy leaders to leaders and there is the opportunity to develop within Mudiad Meithrin. A recognised early years qualification is required for the job as well as previous experience in a childcare setting.
For a list of the latest vacancies visit Mudiad Meithrin’s job’s page.
“THIS IS THE BEST CHOICE I MADE”
Manon Ifans is a Cylch Meithrin leader in Denbighshire.
After passing her GCSES, she decided to go on to study the CACHE Level 3 course in Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development with Mudiad Meithrin’s Cam wrth Gam Schools scheme.
Manon said that she had always enjoyed working with children and felt that the course would suit her better than A-levels. Completing the qualification helped Manon decide on her career path and it enabled her to go on to Bangor University to study a degree in Childhood Studies.
She said: “I learned so much while doing the Cam wrth Gam course and it has definitely helped me gain confidence in myself. This is the best choice I made. ”
After graduating in 2018, Manon applied for a job as an assistant at a Cylch Meithrin and she has now been a leader for almost a year.
Manon added: “Since working here I have had so many opportunities to attend great training courses and have been on many interesting Academi courses over the years. And on top of all this the kids make me laugh every day and I love seeing them develop.”
Manon has three words to describe her work - fun, tiring and exciting!
DO I NEED TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK WELSH TO APPLY FOR A JOB?
You don’t need to be a fluent speaker but a high level of Welsh is required. You do not need to have been educated at a Welsh-medium school to apply for a job in a Cylch Meithrin. The role in the Cylch Meithrin will include talking to young children up to the age of five, so you need to be confident to speak conversational Welsh.
However, there is plenty of support for Welsh learners as well as people who haven’t spoken the language since their school days. There are a number of language schemes to support staff to be confident Welsh speakers.
You will be surprised how much you remember when you start using it again!
WHAT TRAINING IS AVAILABLE?
Mudiad Meithrin believes early years experiences have a huge influence on a child for the rest of their lives and learning and development is something it prides itself on. It offers its staff training programs that aim to create a professional, competent, motivated workforce to ensure that we provide the best play and learning experiences through the medium of Welsh to young children.
Academi is responsible for all of Mudiad Meithrin’s training requirements, and it provides a range of development and learning opportunities. The free courses are also designed to create complete experiences for the young children in the Cylchoedd Meithrin, developing, encouraging, and preparing them for the next step on their educational journey.
There are face-to-face, online courses, activity packs and specialist surgeries available for all aspects of the Mudiad’s work.
It is very flexible and you can learn when it suits you.
There is also a designated local support officer dedicated to your region, who is available to advise on matters arising from the running of Cylch Meithrin. No committee member is expected to be an expert, and not all committee members are able to speak Welsh, although Welsh is the language within the setting of the Cylch. Mudiad Meithrin welcomes and encourages people from all walks of life to be part of the Cylch committee.
IS THERE AN APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME AVAILABLE?
Yes. Mudiad Meithrin now offers a new apprenticeship scheme to qualify as a Level 3 child care, play, learning and development practitioner.
This apprenticeship is suitable for staff who are employed
(or who will be employed from the start date of the apprenticeship) by settings who are members of Mudiad Meithrin, Welsh-medium private day nurseries, and Welshmedium schools. The course is 18 months, and learners will have to be employed in the setting for at least 16 hours per week.
There is also the opportunity to apply for the Level 5 Apprenticeship, which is for anyone in a leadership and management role within the Cylch Meithrin, Welsh-medium day nursery, or in a high-level position in a Welsh-medium primary school.
For more information about Mudiad Meithrin or to apply for a job or apprenticeship, visit www.meithrin.cymru