CNSA is an independent charitable organisation set up in Inverness in 1982 to look after the needs of voluntary groups in the pre-school Gaelic medium sector.
The organisation, which began with only four playgroups, has grown steadily and it now has more than 150 groups under its wing, offering Gaelic education to more than 2,000 children all over Scotland. The current interest in the revival of Gaelic has seen 16 new groups set up under the CNSA umbrella in the past year alone.
CNSA provides Gaelic resources for games and creative activities in a range of settings - 'bumps and babies' (pre-birth to one year), parent and child groups, playgroups and nurseries.
All the staff are fluent Gaelic speakers, although all children and their parents are welcome at any of the groups whether or not they speak Gaelic.
CNSA provides field staff to support the groups and offers an on-going training programme.
The company's secretary, Keith Scammell, said, 'Receiving a Gaelic plaque is significant. You cannot invest in people without investing in their language. The IiP award recognises the fact that we operate through the medium of Gaelic and do most of our business in Gaelic.'
