Business Details
8 Years
experience
Trusted Bilingual Nursery in Cardiff
Founded in 2018 by Andrea Bird and Mari, Pelican is a bilingual, eco-conscious nursery in Cardiff dedicated to nurturing children aged 0-5. Our mission combines Welsh language education with organic nutrition and sustainable practices, fostering individuality in a home-from-home environment. We prioritise holistic development through sensory exploration, outdoor play, and a blue-light-free setting designed to support circadian rhythms. Led by Andrea, a passionate advocate for healthy eating, and Sara, our manager with a background in primary education, we create a family-centred space where children thrive.Our approach integrates organic essential oils, seasonal produce, and a curriculum responsive to children's evolving interests. With spacious rooms, extensive gardens, and a commitment to reducing screen-related stressors, we aim to shape early years experiences that align with natural growth patterns. Our team views every child as part of an extended family, ensuring care that balances structure with organic discovery.
Services
Nursery Care
Welsh Language Education
Organic Meal Plans
Sustainable Environment
Outdoor Play Areas
Details
- Year established: 2018
Highlights and features
- We offer bilingual Welsh-English education for all children regardless of family language background
- Our organic menus use locally sourced seasonal ingredients with no processed foods
- We implement blue-light-free lighting to support healthy sleep patterns and development
- Our curriculum adapts daily to children's interests and developmental needs
- Our staff have combined decades of early years education and childcare experience
Services
Nursery Care
Our nursery provides full-day care for children aged 0-5 in a bilingual Welsh-English environment. We focus on individual development through sensory play, outdoor exploration, and organic nutrition. Our staff create personalised care plans that adapt to each child's unique needs and interests.
Welsh Language Education
We offer complete Welsh language immersion for all children, regardless of home language. Our curriculum integrates Welsh through songs, stories, and daily interactions, creating natural bilingual development in a supportive environment that celebrates Welsh heritage.
Organic Meal Plans
Our organic menus feature locally sourced seasonal ingredients with no processed foods or added sugars. We educate children about nutrition through garden-to-table experiences and communal mealtimes that foster family-style dining habits.
Sustainable Environment
We implement eco-conscious practices throughout our nursery, including blue-light-free lighting, organic essential oils, and extensive outdoor play areas. Our approach reduces environmental impact while creating developmentally appropriate spaces that support natural growth patterns.
Outdoor Play Areas
Our extensive gardens feature sheltered spaces, vegetable beds, and natural play elements. Children engage in messy play and physical development activities while learning about sustainability through hands-on gardening and outdoor exploration experiences.
People
Andrea Bird
Founder
Andrea founded Pelican in 2018 with a vision for organic nutrition and Welsh language education. She champions sustainable practices and healthy eating habits, ensuring children develop positive relationships with food from their earliest years.
Sara
Manager
Sara, a former primary school teacher, has managed Pelican since 2018. With Welsh heritage and early years expertise, she creates nurturing environments where children's individuality and curiosity shape daily learning experiences.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We care for children from 0 to 5 years old, with dedicated spaces for babies, toddlers, and pre-school children.
Do you require Welsh language proficiency for admission?
No prior Welsh knowledge is needed. Our bilingual approach welcomes all families interested in Welsh language education.
What makes your nursery eco-friendly?
We use blue-light-free lighting, organic essential oils, seasonal produce, and sustainable practices throughout our nursery environment.
How do you approach nutrition?
Our organic menus feature locally sourced ingredients with no processed foods, focusing on educating children about healthy eating habits.
Are you open year-round?
We operate Monday to Friday, 7:30am-6:00pm, following standard school term schedules with scheduled breaks.
Reviews (6)
Richard Clacksman
Sep 24, 2018
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The staff are always very friendly and our child loves going to nursery. The food they serve is healthy, varied and interesting, sometimes I'm jealous of my child's lunch.
Emily Casseem
Apr 13, 2016
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My daughter has been going to Y Pelican for over a year. She and I think its brilliant. It truly is a place where their approach to the care of children is incredibly holistic. From the delicious and nutritious organic menus to the natural and innovative perspective to play and creativity the experience we have had at Y Pelican is excellent. We… will be sad when its time to move onto to full time school but luckily we have a 3 month old baby who will start soon to keep us involved with this happy and special place. Thanks to all the staff at Y Pelican for all that you do!!!
Lauren Harvey
Dec 16, 2015
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Nadolig Llawen Y Pelican! Thank you for a lovely Christmas party this afternoon - Bert has taken his mouse to bed. Such a nurturing environment thanks everyone for taking care of our son so kindly this year!
Caroline Powell
Oct 02, 2015
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We are extremely satisfied with every aspect of the care our daughter receives at Meithrinfa Y Pelican. Like a couple of the other parents neither myself or my partner are currently fluent Welsh speakers but the staff have been very understanding and explain everything to us in English. The children are encouraged to engage in varied activities… such as messy play, art, gardening to name a few. The onsite chef provides a great meal choice for the children and knowing it's all organic is very appealing. The online update system is very reassuring - I can log on in my lunchtime and see how
Neeta Tailor
Jul 22, 2015
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We knew this was the nursery for our son as soon as we visited. We are not welsh speakers, but we liked the idea of a bilingual environment for our child. Communication with us is always in english so we know… exactly what he's been getting up to during the day! The food is freshly made on-site and is wholesome and nutritious. The staff are friendly, caring and gentle and our son is happy and thriving here.
Violet Thomas
Jul 15, 2015
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Choosing a nursery for your child is one of the toughest choices a parent can make. My husband and I looked at many of the nurseries in the area before discovering Y Pelican, which was just due to open. We visited the nursery and were really impressed with the staff, the premises, their vision and their ethos. They believe in wholesome, organic… food, traditional toys and bilingual learning through the mediums of Welsh and English. At first I was a little daunted as I don't speak Welsh but staff always communicate with me in English and it's never been an issue so please don't let that put
