Local pre-schools on PATHS to success

Bridgend County Borough Council has become the first local authority to work alongside Barnardo’s to implement the PATHS programme in pre-school settings.

Traditionally implemented in primary schools, PATHS - an evidence-based social and emotional learning programme - has seen success in over 35 countries worldwide. Following Barnardo’s success of implementing the programme in over 200 UK primary schools, for the first time ever PATHS is now being piloted in 13 pre-schools across the county borough.

Funded by Barnardo’s and Bridgend County Borough Council, the programme has been established to enhance children’s social and emotional learning and develop pro-social skills, emotional understanding, social problem solving and self-control.

Pre-schools are also supported by a Barnardo’s PATHS coach who visits the settings every three weeks to support staff to deliver the programme, offer advice on ways to embed it and share good practice between settings.

Amanda Standing, owner of Standing to Grow playgroup in Maesteg, said: “The introduction of PATHS since September at Standing to Grow is already proving successful.

“PATHS is helping our children identify their feelings and is clearly supporting children to express kindness and positivity. Observing children complimenting other children at such a young age is absolutely fantastic!”

We’re really excited to be working with Barnardo’s to pilot the PATHS programme in Bridgend County Borough.

PATHS supports the pre-school settings in providing children with a solid foundation that enables them to become resilient, empathetic individuals who are happy, confident and have a desire to learn and achieve.

The programme is already proving to be extremely popular in our pre-school settings and we’re confident that it will continue to grow as we begin to roll out across more settings.

Councillor Dhanisha Patel, Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Future Generations

Elaine Britton, PATHS Team Manager, added “We are delighted with the work currently taking place in Bridgend. Despite only starting the pilot in September, children across the settings are already showing improved emotional awareness, increased self-control and improved relationships. This makes us really excited for the future of PATHS in pre-schools.”

For more information on the scheme please contact Kate Parry, Childcare Development Officer at Bridgend County Borough Council on 01656 642649 or email kate.parry@bridgend.gov.uk.

For more information on PATHS please contact Elaine Britton, PATHS Team Manager at Barnardo’s on 07584 223711 or email elaine.britton@barnardos.org.uk.