Parents from coastal Conwy will now have access to a Welsh medium nursery on their doorstep. Menter Iaith Conwy have been developing the project since 2010 and through collaboration with a local parent from Deganwy have now succeeded in pulling sufficient funding down to realise the idea. Meithirnfa Gymraeg Derwen Deg will be established in Llandudno Junction and will offer full time childcare completely in Welsh.
Eirian Pierce Jones, Welsh Language Social Enterprises Officer with Menter Iaith Conwy said:
“Over recent years we have had many enquiries from parents on the coast wanting Welsh medium childcare for their children but unfortunately there was no such provision.”
CCBC’s education services also found there was a lack of Welsh medium childcare in the area through their annual Childcare Audit. Eirian explained that in 2013, Nia Owen a parent of two and a chartered accountant contacted MIC asking about such provision for her children and was looking to establish a nursery as a private venture.
This collaboration led to the creation of a new social enterprise called Meithrinfa Gymraeg Derwen Deg with local parents as directors. Luckily two grant sources became available – Cyfenter run by Menter Môn which is European funding matched by money from the four North West Wales Local Authorities as well as the Big Lottery’s Coastal Communities Fund. Both bids were successful and now MGDD and MIC are aiming to open the nursery in April or May.
Menter Iaith Conwy have recognised the importance of economic development with the Welsh language at its core. This will create employment opportunities using the Welsh language as an essential skill, creating work for Welsh speakers in their communities. Eirian is already looking for new possibilities throughout Conwy.
The parents involved in this new enterprise are extremely happy to finally have access to Welsh childcare for their children within their locality. Gwyneth Hughes of Llandudno, one of the MGDD’s directors said “As a parent who lives in the coastal are of Conwy county, I think it’s extremely important that families are able to have Welsh language childcare in their local area” and goes on to say “many of us feel that this is such an important issue that we have come together to form this new enterprise and hopefully create a brand new nursery run completely through the medium of Welsh.”
Nia Owen of Deganwy, a catalyst in moving the whole project forward with MIC said “I have been unable to find full time Welsh childcare for my children in the area and through speaking with numerous other parents have found there is a huge need for this provision.”
MGDD will soon be recruiting staff and when fully established will have created seven brand new jobs locally and have space for around 36 children. Anyone who is interested in placing their children at Derwen Deg or want to know more about the new posts should contact Eirian Pierce Jones at Menter Iaith Conwy’s office in Llanrwst on 01492 642357 or through email eirian@miconwy.org.