Childcare, Play and Early Years Campaign

Two children playing in a colourful play tunnel with only their feet visible

Childcare, Play and Early Years Campaign

Between 5 August and 25 August, WeCare Wales are shining a light on Childcare, play and early years. We will be sharing stories on our social media channels, learning about the variety of roles available, looking at what values and qualities you need to work in the sector.

If you’re considering a career in care and want to know more about working in childcare, play and early years or the opportunities available, follow us on social media and visit our working in childcare pages.

The National Eisteddfod

At the start of our campaign, on 6 August we will be at the National Eisteddfod sponsoring the day for the second year in a row with our Caring Day. Care Day will celebrate our Welsh speakers and hope to attract more Welsh speakers of all levels to consider a career in care.

There is so much going on in the Eisteddfod this year that ties into our childcare, play and early years campaign. It’s great to see so many of our partners being represented at the Eisteddfod hosting a whole range of events and activities that celebrate the sector and it’s integral part in society and showcase the work they do.

Mudiad Meithrin, an organisation passionate about offering Welsh-medium education to every child in Wales are hosting ‘Parêd Ponty’ with Martyn Geraint leading the procession at 12 o’clock on Sunday 4 August. The procession will take place on the National Eisteddfod field and is a celebration of Welsh-medium education at Cylchoedd Meithrin (Welsh-medium playgroups) in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The parade will culminate at the Maes Stage where popular children's entertainer Martyn Geraint will present a live children’s show to entertain the children and their families.You can read more about the parade here

You can also find Mudiad Meithrin at stall #710-712 all week.

Our partners are also celebrating with us over the next three weeks. Clybiau Plant Cymru have so many brilliant fully funded training courses available from Level 2 Award in Playwork practive, Level 3 Award – Transition to Playwork and also mindfulness and wellbeing sessions specifically for the sector. Follow Clybiau Plant Cymru on social media for all the details.

PACEY, the professional association for childcare in early years are also celebrating our campaign, Playday and also their very own Celebration Event which aims to celenrate the achievements of PACEY members over the last 12 months. The event will be held in Venue Cymru, Llandudno on 5 October. For more information, including how to register for the event, follow PACEY’s facebook page.

Play Wales are also celebrating with us. If you can see yourself working in the play sector, or want more information on the different roles in the play sector then visit Play Wales – the national charity championing children’s play. To celebrate Playday they are promoting events that are happening across Wales on their Playful Childhoods Wales website and Facebook page.

Playday #Playday2024

Playday is the national day for play, which is celebrated every year on the first Wednesday in August - this year on 7 August.

We recently had the privilege, and a lot of fun meeting with the Llanharan Community Development Project in Rhondda Cynon Taf to understand more about what play means to them and the importance of running their open access play sessions in the community. Be sure to follow their Facebook page to hear about how they will be celebrating Playday this year.

We are delighted to share this new case study with you for this campaign.

Have you been inspired?

Whether you can see yourself working in a playgroup or Cylch Meithrin, in your own home or in a crèche there are a variety of roles you can do.

If you're not sure where to start, if you want a taster or introduction to childcare, you can sign up for our free online training course.

Your journey into childcare

Being a part of a child’s development, seeing them at play and helping them explore the world is a rewarding job. Whether you want to lead a team or work for yourself from home, there’s a role for you.

Working in childcare