Investing in Childhood, Investing in Wales: Mudiad Meithrin and UWTSD Shaping the Future of Early Years Leadership

If we want a Wales where every child has the best possible start, we must invest in the people and organisations who make that possible. This is the opinion of Alison Rees Edwards, lecturer in Early Years at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and a member of the Mudiad Meithrin board.

The early years of a child’s life are not simply a prelude to formal education; they are the foundation of everything that follows. These formative experiences shape language, identity, emotional well-being, and lifelong learning. In Wales, two institutions stand out for their unwavering commitment to nurturing this foundation: Mudiad Meithrin and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD). Together, they are cultivating a generation of confident, bilingual children and preparing the leaders who will guide them.

For me, this is not just a professional interest; it’s deeply personal. I’ve been familiar with Mudiad Meithrin for many years, having taken my four children to Cylch Ti a Fi and later to Ysgol Feithrin during their early childhood. As a parent, I saw first-hand the warmth, care, and developmental richness of Welsh-medium early years settings. I understood the core aims of Mudiad Meithrin and the benefits of bilingualism, but it wasn’t until I joined the Early Years team at UWTSD that my appreciation deepened. I began to include Mudiad Meithrin’s work in my lectures, especially those focused on the cognitive and cultural benefits of bilingualism and multilingualism.

However, joining Mudiad Meithrin’s Board of Directors over a decade ago gave me a wholly new perspective. Behind the scenes, I witnessed the dedication, strategy, and tireless work that goes into supporting Welsh-medium early years education. I’ve had the privilege of attending presentations where Mudiad Meithrin’s staff shared progress on expanding provision in areas of greatest need, and I’ve seen how they’ve pioneered training pathways for early years practitioners, ensuring that the sector is not only growing, but growing with quality.

Mudiad Meithrin is more than a provider; it is a movement. For over 50 years, it has championed Welsh-medium early years education, creating spaces where children can thrive linguistically, socially, and emotionally. Through its network of Cylchoedd Meithrin, day nurseries, and Cylch Ti a Fi groups, it reaches thousands of children and families every week.

Its approach is rooted in play-based learning, recognising that play is the natural language of childhood. But it also serves a deeper purpose: fostering bilingualism from the earliest age. In doing so, Mudiad Meithrin supports the Welsh Government’s Cymraeg 2050 vision and contributes to a bilingual Wales where language is a living, everyday experience.

What sets Mudiad apart is its commitment to equity. It works tirelessly to expand provision in underserved areas, ensuring that Welsh-medium education is not a privilege, but a right. It also supports practitioners through training and development, raising standards and building a resilient workforce.

At UWTSD, the Early Years Education and Care programmes are designed to do more than educate; they aim to empower. Students are immersed in the study of child development, well-being, safeguarding, and inclusive practice. But crucially, they are also prepared for leadership.

Leadership in early years is about more than managing settings; it’s about shaping environments where children feel safe, valued, and inspired. UWTSD’s programmes include modules on policy, management, and reflective practice, ensuring that graduates are ready to lead with vision and integrity.

The university’s bilingual and Welsh-medium pathways align perfectly with Mudiad Meithrin’s ethos. Students leave not only with academic knowledge, but with a deep understanding of the cultural and linguistic context of early years education in Wales. They are ready to work in diverse settings and to advocate for children and families with confidence.

Despite its importance, the early years sector faces a recruitment crisis. Low pay, limited career progression, and a lack of recognition have made it difficult to attract and retain skilled professionals. This is not just a workforce issue; it’s a children’s rights issue.

We need to change the narrative. Early years education is not “just childcare”; it is educational leadership. It is about shaping minds, building futures, and supporting families. It is one of the most impactful careers a person can choose.

UWTSD is helping to address this challenge by offering flexible study routes, practical placements, and clear progression pathways. It attracts a diverse range of students, from school leavers to career changers, who bring passion and purpose to the field. These graduates are the future of the sector, and they deserve to be celebrated and supported.

At the core of both Mudiad Meithrin and UWTSD’s work is a shared belief in the importance of child development. Understanding how children grow, learn, and relate to the world is essential for creating environments that support their full potential.

UWTSD’s programmes explore development holistically: physical, emotional, cognitive, and social. Students learn to recognise trauma, celebrate diversity, and create inclusive, nurturing spaces. Mudiad Meithrin brings this theory to life in practice, offering rich, play-based experiences that foster curiosity, resilience, and language development.

Together, these institutions ensure that child development is not just taught; it is embedded in every aspect of their work. And in doing so, they honour the most important truth of all: that every child deserves to be nurtured, understood, and empowered.

If we want a Wales where every child has the best start in life, we must invest in the people and organisations who make that possible. We must support Mudiad Meithrin in its mission to provide Welsh-medium early years education. We must champion UWTSD as it prepares the leaders our children deserve. And we must recruit, train, and retain professionals who see early years work not as a job, but as a vocation.

This is not just about education; it’s about culture, equity, and hope. It’s about building a society where children are valued, families are supported, and communities are strong.

The future of Wales begins in the early years. Let’s make sure it begins with excellence.

Further Information

Lowri Thomas

Principal Communications and PR Officer     
Corporate Communications and PR     
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk     
Phone: 07449 998476