Strong community links and the impact on pupils’ experiences, progress and wellbeing.
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Information about the setting
Cylch Meithrin Y Drenewydd is a voluntary-managed setting providing early years education and childcare. The setting, located in the town of Newtown on the Ysgol Dafydd Llwyd site, is registered for up to 56 children aged two to five years.
The setting caters for a range of children from diverse backgrounds. The majority of children in attendance come for English speaking families. The provider’s vision is centred around: “Dychmygwch, Chwarae, Creu / Imagine, Create, Play.”
The staff, responsible individual and committee bring a wealth of experience and dedication to the setting.
Context and background to the effective or innovative practice
A strong element of the setting’s success lies in its excellent partnerships. Practitioners value the community and plan rich, meaningful experiences for the children to learn about their local area and social context.
The setting organises regular visits to nearby shops and a local park, as well as trips to local schools to support familiarisation and the transition process. A particular highlight is the regular visits to a local care home for the elderly, where children engage in inter-generational activities such as singing, storytelling and playing games. These opportunities support children’s social, emotional, and moral development.
Leaders at the setting have a strong and united vision. They work extremely well together and hold high expectations for themselves and others. They also engage actively with parents through regular newsletters and initiatives like the Cwb Cylch shed, where families can borrow resources such as books, games, or clothes.
Leaders also work closely with the local schools, ensuring a strong transition system is in place, and collaborate with the local authority’s development officers and umbrella organisations to support and enhance provision.
Description of nature of strategy or activity
The setting fosters strong, proactive connections with the community, ensuring children regularly participate in meaningful visits to the local area. These experiences enhance their awareness of their surroundings and cultivates a deep sense of belonging. Effective partnerships with the local authority and the Mudiad Meithrin officer support ongoing development. These partnerships have enabled the setting to evolve, reflect on its practices, and adopt new approaches for continuous improvement. The strategy of embedding community involvement as a core element of learning has become a defining feature of the setting’s provision.
What impact has this work had on provision and children’s standards?
Children feel happy and completely safe at the setting, knowing they are respected and valued by all staff. They develop a strong sense of belonging and are given a meaningful voice in how the environment supports their learning. This contributes to building their confidence and readiness as they approach the next stage of their education. Staff work effectively as a team, promoting well-being, resilience, and positive development in all children. Regular involvement with the local community helps children build valuable social skills and emotional awareness, while also forging strong connections with their surroundings. These experiences significantly enhance their overall wellbeing and contribute to their growth as confident and principled young learners.
How have you shared your good practice?
The local authority has shared elements of the setting’s work on social media, helping to highlight the value of its community-focused approach. In addition, staff regularly attend local authority “Network and Natter” meetings and Mudiad Meithrin meetings, where they discuss and share effective practice with other early years settings.
Photographs and examples of work from the setting have also been included in local authority training materials, supporting professional development across the sector.