Archives: Case Studies

“I find it especially rewarding to see the progress made by parents and grandparents with their Gaelic, whether that be in beginners’ classes or at the conversation circles.”

1. Why have you chosen to work in a career in Gaelic early years?

Although the work I am involved in currently is different from the previous early years jobs I was employed in , the one thing that drew me into the sector was that everyday is different.

2. Have you always worked in social services?

No-I’ve worked in retail, I  have also done a bit of tutoring and was lucky enough to do a traineeship with Stòrlann Nàiseanta a few years ago.

3. Tell us more about your job?

The project that I am currently involved in , is to provide online learning classes for those who are learning the language at the same time  as their children or grandchildren. I also look at how we can better  support parents who are raising their children  with Gaelic in the home by creating  spaces and opportunities online , where they can speak honestly and openly about the challenges they face e.g  fighting against English or the lack of confidence they have with their own language learning.

4. What inspires you in your job?

That I am part of a big, supportive community – if I have any difficulties or questions about something, I know that there’s someone out there who can offer help and guidance. Gaelic is the main language I use daily in my workplace. I always prioritise Gaelic as much as I can. If parents have Gaelic or if they are learning it , I will ensure that is the language I will use with them.

5. What are the best bits about your job?

One of the best bits about my job is the freedom and flexibility afforded to me to try out new approaches in delivering our support services. Learning a language as an adult can be a real challenge; usually it’s not a lack of ability that hinders us, but rather a lack of confidence. In my role I try to show parents that they can successfully learn Gaelic alongside their children, and that they can learn it to fluency as well, if that’s what they’re aiming for.

6. How do you support the children in learning Gàidhlig?

Children start learning lots of things way before they ever go near a classroom – education starts at home. If we want our young Gaels to be as confident and competent as possible in the language – to the extent that that they are able to pass to the language on to their own children – it is crucial that we provided parents, and families in general, with the opportunity to either learn the language, or improve their language abilities, in order to make Gaelic a normal part of daily life. In my opinion, this is one of the most effective ways in which we, as professionals, can promote the use of Gaelic in the home.

7. In what way is you job rewarding?

I find it especially rewarding to see the progress made by parents and grandparents with their Gaelic, whether that be in beginners’ classes or at the conversation circles.

8. What skills & qualities are needed to do your job?

Not only do you need to be comfortable working with people of different ages, but you also need to be good at encouraging people to keep at it with Gaelic.

9. Has the job opened new opportunities for you?

I hope to still be in this role in five years’ time, as I really want to develop and increase the support services we currently provide.

10. What would you say to someone who was thinking of working in the Gaelic Early years sector?

If you like working with wee ones and their parents and you want to use your Gaelic every day, then I’d recommend considering a career in this sector.

 

Read more #DèanDiofar Trath-bhliadhnaichean case studies here.

“It’s wonderful. It’s a happy, friendly and fun environment where children laugh, learn and play (and so do I!) and where I promote the use of Gaelic by immersing the children in the language”

1. Why have you chosen to work in a career in Gaelic early years?

It’s the growth that you see in the children and knowing that you’ve had a tiny part to play in how the children have progressed and developed.

2. Have you always worked in social services?

After school, one of my first job was in childcare. I then moved to office work and when I was made redundant in 2016, I returned to working with children and young people.

3. Tell us more about your job?

I work with a nursery teacher, 2 early years workers and an early years support worker. I promote the use of Gaelic by immersing the children in the language and I model and repeat Gaelic non stop! It’s such an important part of life which can contribute to shaping the children into the people they want to become and their time with us helps gets them ready for their GME journey. I also send words home for parents to read phonetically, so that they can support their children’s learning. I love how positive my workplace is and recognise how lucky I am to work at this nursery.

4. What inspires you in your job?

I love working with this age group and no day is typical. I always have the best interests of the child in mind and I work hard on building a trusting relationship with the child and their families. I have a parent partnership champion role within my job where I explore ways for parents and carers to engage with their child’s learning. You need to enjoy working with children – recognise that they have rights and that their wellbeing is a number one priority.

5. What are the best bits about your job?

Every day I get a chance to act, dance, sing and laugh. It’s wonderful. It’s a happy, friendly and fun environment where children laugh, learn and play (and so do I!) and where I promote the use of Gaelic by immersing the children in the language.

6. How do you support the children in learning Gàidhlig?

I promote the use of Gaelic by immersing the children in the language and I model and repeat Gaelic non stop! Our nursery signs up to any extra Gaelic initiatives like Leugh is Seinn/Gaelic Bookbug. We use Gaelic every day; in our routines, in our lessons, to reinforce it with the children and to introduce it to families.

7. In what way is you job rewarding?

Every day I get a chance to act, dance, sing and laugh. I play with the children or observe them at play, and I create lessons based on their interests and our curriculum and topics. I clean up and deal with any accidents or incidents and I complete some paperwork and speak to families.

8. What skills & qualities are needed to do your job?

You need to enjoy working with children – recognise that they have rights and that t heir wellbeing is a number one priority.

9. Has the job opened new opportunities for you?

I’ve just been accepted to a Graduate Diploma in Childhood studies which I start soon. I would like to get some supervisory experience in a few years. I’ve completed the Fás course with BnG which has strengthened my Gaelic language knowledge.

10. What would you say to someone who was thinking of working in the Gaelic Early years sector?

Come and volunteer with us for a few hours a week or at another Gaelic nursery, you can pick up some of the language and strategies. Did you know that the SSSC accept qualifications meeting requirements of other regulatory bodies such as health care professionals and nurses which allows you to register as an early years worker. My community education degree is accepted as an acceptable qualification. Many establishments offer on the job training so you can get paid and get qualified at the same time.

 

Read more #DèanDiofarTrath-bhliadhnaichean case studies here.

“I am lucky enough to work in a smaller nursery so I get to spend lots of quality time with each individual child and get to know them all very well, building a close bond with them. They make me laugh every day with all the stories they tell me.” 

1. Why have you chosen to work in a career in Gaelic early years?

Came from Gaelic education & enjoyed learning it so wanted to help others learn it and enjoy it like I did. 

2. Have you always worked in social services?

No, when I left school I went straight into an office apprenticeship and worked there for two years before going to college for Early Years.  

3. Tell us more about your job?

Gaelic full immersion nursery. Mixture between free play and adult led activities to incorporate more specific Gaelic language. Happy and nurturing environment with a lot of child involvement in their own learning.  The children decide for themselves what they want our nursery topics to be and we spend a term learning about it. 

4. What inspires you in your job?

Hearing from the parents that the children have been using Gaelic in the house, especially if they have little or no Gaelic at home and that they are excited to come into Sgoil-Àraich showing that they enjoy what they are learning. 

5. What are the best bits about your job?

Interacting with the children and building relationships with them and the families. I am lucky enough to work in a smaller nursery so I get to spend lots of quality time with each individual child and get to know them all very well, building a close bond with them. They make me laugh every day with all the stories they tell me.  

Seeing the children’s confidence and language develop and hearing them use Gaelic with each other in their free play and at snack and lunch times. 

6. How do you support the children in learning Gàidhlig?

Songs and actions, circle games. Facal Focus – focusing learning and activities on a word / words for 2 weeks. To support the children, we actively support the parents. Daily and routine words are sent home to parents so that they can use and encourage the children to use at home. Gaidhlig Bookbug packs being sent home.  

7. In what way is you job rewarding?

Getting positive feedback from the parents. Hearing from them and seeing in the morning that the children want to and are excited to come into Sgoil-Àraich and want to stay longer when it is home time. Hearing the children use Gaelic in their own play and conversations without adult initiation. When they use words and phrases they have picked up from listening to adults speak to each other in Gaelic. 

8. What skills & qualities are needed to do your job?

You need to enjoy working with children and be very patient. Flexible and easy going as things don’t always go to plan in the nursery so you have to be able to adapt to meet their wants and needs. Enjoy getting messy and having fun and don’t take yourself too seriously. 

9. Has the job opened new opportunities for you?

Took part in Fàs Program funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig to develop Gaelic for Early Years Practitioners in Gaelic Medium Education. I got the opportunity to spend a week in both Eriskay and South Uist to fully emerge in Gaelic culture and experience it in the local communities. We also got weekly Gaelic classes and regular college days where we spent the full day engaging in language lessons and songs/activities/sharing ideas to take back and use in our own Sgoil-Araichs. Really motivating program and would encourage anyone to take part in it if they get the opportunity. I also have the role of Maths Champion in the nursery, encouraging and promoting maths and numeracy. 

10. What would you say to someone who was thinking of working in the Gaelic Early years sector?

Don’t be put off because you don’t think your Gaelic is good enough or you haven’t spoken it in a while. I was out of Gaelic for almost 10 years and my biggest worry was my Gaelic being very basic and not being good enough. But I have received nothing but encouragement and support to advance my language skills and am capable of fully supporting the children with their learning.    

 

Read more #DèanDiofarTràth-bhliadhnaichean case studies here.

“The children are like sponges, soaking up what they hear without being self-conscious or worried about mistakes. They hear new sounds every day, so what makes Gaelic any different to the norm. It never ceases to amaze me how receptive they are towards the language, and the play opportunities around them.” 

1. Why have you chosen to work in a career in Gaelic early years?

My early years career started after I had my own children, it is not something I had thought about before. I love the work that I do, with children and also with their families and I have realised that so many opportunities are out there to further my career. 

2. Have you always worked in social services?

Initially I had a role leading Gaelic Playgroups in Edinburgh and then moved on to nursery work. I realised at this point that I would like a career in Early Years and so completed my SVQ before becoming Early Years Lead Practitioner for the setting. After about a year the opportunity arose to apply to become a GME Early Years Development officer for Edinburgh Council.

3. Tell us more about your job?

I am currently working under the Quality Improvements Team for Edinburgh Council.  I work closely with all GME Early Years Settings in Edinburgh as well as families and in the community. 

As my role is new I that opportunity to make a difference is huge. From supporting settings and staff in furthering their knowledge/training to supporting families with Gaelic in the home, the impact could be huge. Partnership work and bringing settings/families together will benefit all of the children involved in GME. 

4. What inspires you in your job?

In my day to day work the children inspire me. They are at such a great age to engage with and learn. It never ceases to amaze me how receptive they are towards the language, and the play opportunities around them. Also the opportunity for change and to make a difference to the families that I work alongside also inspires me and I take a lot of my ideas from them.   

5. What are the best bits about your job?

I love spending time with children, and with staff. There is nothing more rewarding than supporting children with their ideas and wishes and seeing the positive outcomes for them, as groups and individuals. 

6. How do you support the children in learning Gàidhlig?

Repeat, repeat, repeat. It is very important to be clear and repetitive when speaking to such young learners. And song of course. I find that most children (and parents/carers) pick up the language primarily through song in the early stages. The parents often take more time to try and use the language, so ensuring that they have ample opportunity to hear Gaelic in a gentle and informal manner is vital.  

7. In what way is you job rewarding?

Hearing the children when they start to use the language is always lovely, and very much recognised by the staff around me too. Knowing that I have supported parents on the start of their journey into nursery/school and have helped them understand the pathways is very rewarding. Also supporting settings in their development and helping them to achieve the levels of quality care that they want. 

8. What skills & qualities are needed to do your job?

Knowledge of child development is essential in a role like mine, as well as a desire to work with children and their families. Patience, enthusiasm and creativity are also important. 

9. Has the job opened new opportunities for you?

 I came into this job thinking that it would suit me at that stage of life. Here I am 9 years later in a role that I love. 

As my new role as GME Early Years Development officer,  has just started,  I haven’t given too much thought to what’s next, but I welcome any opportunity to further my learning and in turn my career. There are lots of opportunities opening up and lots of room for growth. It’s an exciting time to join the expanding workforce, and to make a real difference to children and families in your area. 

10. What would you say to someone who was thinking of working in the Gaelic Early years sector?

A career in Gaelic Early Years is very rewarding and can lead you places that you down paths that you didn’t even know existed. Early Years isn’t just about children in a nursery setting. It encompasses all children from Birth until their early school years, and sometimes beyond when community and family engagement is in place. 

 

Read more #DèanDiofarTrath-bhliadhnaichean case studies here.

“It’s encouraging to see the children having fun, getting to know eachother and learning and developing different skills.”

1. Why have you chosen to work in a career in Gaelic early years?

I used to work in a nursery. I really enjoyed being with the children and doing different things with them every day like baking, art, singing and so on. I also enjoyed having the opportunity to be outside each day.  

2. Have you always worked in social services?

I was previously a nanny and a waitress. I wanted my children to speak Gaelic at home and some parents in Edinburgh are interested in Gaelic, and so I chose to work through the medium of Gaelic.

3. Tell us more about your job?

I look after children who are below school age in my own house. I take care of everyday things like making food for them, organising time for play and art, taking them on trips to the parks, Cròileagan sessions and so on.

4. What inspires you in your job?

It is encouraging to see the children having fun, becoming friends with each other and making progress in different skills. 

5. What are the best bits about your job?

I have always been fond of young children. I like that I am with my own children while I am working. I like that we are free to choose what we want to do each day.  

6. How do you support the children in learning Gàidhlig?

I speak to them in Gaelic only. We read books and sing songs. When they are not sure of what I mean I show them and repeat the words to them. If their parents are interested, I help them with words and phrases that they use at home.  

7. In what way is you job rewarding?

Parents are able to work while I have their child. We go to nursery, then as usual we go out to the park or another local place. In the afternoon they play inside or we go out to the garden. We tidy up and read books before the parents return. 

8. What skills & qualities are needed to do your job?

It is useful to know about child development and to be patient and able to change your plans in terms of what they need at each time.  

9. Has the job opened new opportunities for you?

I used to work in a nursery. When I had children, I thought it would make more sense for me to be at home with them and to use what I had learned to set up my own business. 

10. What would you say to someone who was thinking of working in the Gaelic Early years sector?

It is a good opportunity to promote Gaelic for the next generation. There are many types of career available just now in the early years and new opportunities are emerging. It is a way of using and developing your Gaelic every day.

 

Read more #DèanDiofarTràth-bhliadhnaichean casestudies here.