When you tell people you work in a nursery they just think you sit around and play all day, but it is so much more than that! Getting the chance to watch children develop and seeing their personalities shine through even at such an early age is the best part of the job.
At Meithrinfa Y Pelican we are all about learning through play and letting the children achieve their own objectives while playing. If they want to draw a picture of their mum as a great green blob then that is fine, it is all about the thought process and not the end result. We are giving children the chance to learn by taking part in practical activities that are fun and enjoyable. They are also gaining first hand experiences through play and active involvement which enables them to be creative, imaginative and have fun whilst learning.
The Welsh language is also a huge part of a day at Y Pelican. We believe that each language is a gift. Growing up bi-lingual (or even multi-lingual) opens more doors: educationally, professionally, and culturally and allows us access to rich worlds of history and literature. Research has shown that bilingualism is beneficial for children’s development and their future. Children exposed to different languages become more aware of different cultures, other people and other points of view. They also fare better than monolinguals at ‘multitasking’ and focusing attention. They often are more avid readers, and generally find it easier to learn other languages.
A typical day consists of a lot of food for the children, our on-site organic chef makes the tastiest food using locally sourced organic food – she is a regular at the Roath Farmers’ Market. We sit the children together to eat where we talk about what we are eating and where it has come from. Staff also eat the food with the children, it is getting harder for parents to find the time to sit down and all eat together so, by doing it here we can make meal times a more social occasion. I eat a lot better here than I do at home.
Y Pelican is open from 7.30 – 6pm Monday to Friday and we try and fill up the day with as much activities as we can, making sure that the children are tired out for when they go home. After all the painting and playing, we try and make sure the children go home nice and clean, the staff on the other hand can be seen leaving with little hand prints all over their clothes!
It is one of the best jobs you can have, you may come to work in a bad mood, but within 5 minutes a cute little smile or a quick cwtch will make you 100% happier!
www.ypelican.co.uk
