Welsh medium education in greater demand than ever

The Cylch Meithrin Welsh language nursery in Grangetown has found there is such a demand for Welsh education they are now having to run twice as many sessions.

The nursery, which had six students when it started in 2006, is now full to capacity with 32 children attending in the morning and another 32 in the afternoon, with more on the waiting list.

The only other Welsh nursery facilities in the area are attached to the Pwll Coch Primary School. They are so full a Welsh language school is expected to be built nearby soon. In the meantime Cylch Meithrin tries to pick up the shortfall.

Only 50 per cent of the children who attend the nursery come from a Welsh background. Head teacher Mandy Hore said: "A lot of the children are already speaking a different language, but the parents think this is the time to learn."

The flying start programme for under privileged families funds 18 of the children who attend the classes

The children are spoken to almost exclusively in Welsh. Ms Hore said: "Sometimes we talk to them in English when they first start because it can be upsetting in the beginning. The only other time is if they are doing something that is a danger to them."

Ms Hore learnt Welsh at school as a child, but felt outcast for it. She said: "It is interesting how it has all changed around and the Welsh language is so important."

Kay Hardy, who's two children Catrin and Finn attend the nursery said: "I don't speak Welsh but they are picking it up fast. There are children from lots of different ethnic backgrounds all learning to speak Welsh."

The Cylch have three or four enquiries each day and their waiting list is already getting full for September.

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