Two childcare settings awarded for 'exceptionally high' standards in promoting good mental health
4 March 2024
Two childcare settings in the Vale of Glamorgan have won an award for reaching exceptionally high standards in helping young children express their emotions.
Teddy Bear Nursery at University Hospital Llandough, along with Cardiff and Vale Childcare Centre at Barry College, have achieved ‘Model Pre-School Status’ for the PATHS® Programme (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies).
They are two out of just six childcare settings in the whole of the UK to have achieved such an accolade.
The PATHS® Programme is led by the charity Barnardo’s and helps children develop skills which will enable them to make positive choices throughout life.
It aims to help children develop five aspects of their social and emotional learning, including self-control, emotional understanding, positive self-esteem, positive relationships and interpersonal problem-solving skills.
Using stories, puppets, games and activities, the children can explore their emotions, feelings and relationships with others in their lives. Childcare staff receive training and ongoing support from a Barnardo’s coach to help them implement the knowledge gained during the training.
Hannah Dundas, Nursery Manager at Cardiff and Vale Childcare Centre, said: “Participating has been so beneficial for us. The children look after each other better, give each other compliments, and notice when another child or adult is unhappy.
“The children love playing with the puppets which help them understand different emotions. The help we’ve had from the Healthy and Sustainable Pre School Scheme and Barnardo’s has been invaluable.”
Kelly Lovell, Nursery Manager at Teddy Bear Nursery said: “Following the pandemic we needed a new approach to help our children express their feelings and understand the feelings of others. The PATHS® Programme gave us just that – a structured but flexible way to help everyone develop self-control, emotional understanding, positive self-esteem and better friendships.”
Catherine Perry, coordinator of the Healthy and Sustainable Pre School Scheme at Cardiff and Vale Public Health Team said: “Teddy Bear Nursery at Llandough Hospital and Barry College Nursery have committed themselves to this project with energy and enthusiasm, and the benefits to children in their earliest years are clear.
“I’m delighted that the work of our settings has received national recognition. The dedicated support received from colleagues at Barnardo’s has been invaluable. Congratulations to all involved.”
Commenting on the PATHS® Programme, one parent said: “Our son has thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the programme, so much so it inspired us to buy the colour monster book for him for Christmas. Now whenever he goes quiet we ask what colour he is and he explains how he is feeling based on the colour response and we explore that further. Not only that he now asks why we are feeling whatever emotion we are feeling and gives us a cuddle or a high five based on the response."
Another said: “I can definitely say that we have noticed a difference when my little boy reacts to things he does not like, like another child playing with a toy he wants. He is understanding his emotions better and that some behaviour is okay and some behaviour is not okay.”
Another added: “I think the concept and the delivery have been fantastic for my two children in learning to express their emotions. This is a really important skill for them to develop as they grow up in ensuring they are able to express themselves emotionally and that it is good to do this and not bottle up any negative feelings.
“I think it is also brilliant that it teaches them to give compliments to each other. It teaches them how to be kind and respectful to their peers which again is a great trait.”