Care Inspectorate Wales rates Cylch Meithrin Nelson 'good'

South Wales Argus

a day ago

Cylch Meithrin Nelson, located in the centre of Nelson, received the positive rating in the inspection carried out on March 5.
The service is a Welsh-medium early years childcare setting, which caters for up to 19 children from the age of two until school age.
Inspectors found that the children "are happy, settled, and thriving" at the service, benefitting from "nurturing relationships with staff, well-organised learning environments, and enriching play-based experiences."
(Image: Cylch Meithrin Nelson)
The report also highlights the service's "strong focus on Welsh language and culture, as well as its child-centred approach to learning and care."
The inspection report is broken down into four categories: well-being, care and development, environment, and leadership and management.
In terms of well-being, inspectors found that the children "are confident, communicative, and engaged in their activities."
They also said that the children's voices "are heard and respected, and they are supported in making choices throughout the day."
(Image: Cylch Meithrin Nelson)
In the care and development section, staff were praised for their "effective implementation of policies, strong safeguarding practices, and meaningful relationships with children."
The report also highlights the "particular emphasis on supporting children with additional learning needs."
The environment was found to be "safe, clean, and welcoming," with both indoor and outdoor spaces supporting children's learning.
(Image: Cylch Meithrin Nelson)
However, inspectors recommended more strategic use of outdoor space to further enhance physical development.
The leadership and management team was acknowledged for its "effective oversight, positive team culture, and meaningful engagement with parents and the local community."
The report also highlights the service's "commitment to continuous improvement and quality care."
(Image: Cylch Meithrin Nelson)
Despite the positive findings, the CIW offered several recommendations to further enhance the service.
These include including children's voices more formally in activity planning, improving the use of outdoor areas to maximise developmental opportunities, and ensuring appraisal and supervision documentation is consistently signed and dated.
The report also highlights the strong partnerships the service has with parents, using regular updates through private social media and face-to-face interactions.
(Image: Cylch Meithrin Nelson)
Initiatives such as the "Doti" puppet, Welsh cake-making activities, and community visits to local shops and libraries reinforce the setting's commitment to cultural heritage and community values.
Parents expressed high satisfaction with the care their children receive, praising the "warm, inclusive, and enriching environment provided by staff."
(Image: Cylch Meithrin Nelson)
Cerys Hancox, leader of Cylch Meithrin Nelson, said: "We strongly believe that all children in the Nelson area should have the best start in life and a solid introduction to the Welsh language.
"Every family is welcome in our Cylch Meithrin; there is no requirement for you to speak Welsh yourself.
"Our work in the community ensures that the Welsh language belongs to everyone, and we are so grateful for the support of our families."
(Image: Cylch Meithrin Nelson)
Cylch Meithrin Nelson is open from 8.30am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, and offers various services including the Childcare Offer (up to 30 hours of funded care), three-year-old nursery education, and Flying Start.