A £4 million funding package to train early years Welsh medium practitioners has been announced by Education Minister Leighton Andrews.
The new money, which will support the roll out of the Welsh Assembly Government’s pioneering Foundation Phase, will run until March 2013 and builds on the £6 million already invested in Welsh Language training for the early years since 2008.
Training will be delivered through Cam Wrth Gam, which operates under the umbrella of Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin and Geiriau Bach, part of Trinity University College.
Cam wrth Gam provides a comprehensive national support infrastructure for Welsh-medium early years’ practitioners, which is built around a work-based learning model. Geiriau Bach focuses on improving the Welsh language skills of early years practitioners.
The qualifications and skills gained are key to taking forward the Assembly Government’s Iaith Pawb agenda and securing qualified staff with the bilingual skills to meet the requirements of the Foundation Phase.
The Foundation Phase is a ground-breaking new approach to learning for children aged three to seven. It is based on the principle that children learn better through first hand practical experiences, play and active involvement rather than by completing exercises in books.
Education Minister Leighton Andrews said:
“The demand for Welsh medium practitioners is growing as the Foundation Phase rolls out across Wales. The £4 million over the next two years will make a big difference in delivering the training that we know is necessary.
“Both Cam Wrth Gam and Geiriau Bach have recently been the subject of an external evaluation carried out by Professor Roy James CBE and Arwel George. Their findings are most encouraging.
“The report stated that both Geiriau Bach and Cam wrth Gam are making a significant contribution to taking forward the Iaith Pawb agenda and securing qualified staff with the bilingual skills to meet the requirements of the Foundation Phase.
“Clearly the current contracts have proved a success. I hope that as they extend their training opportunities to early years practitioners across Wales, their success will continue.”
