Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Christmas Photoshoot Arrangements

On Wednesday 27th November, LAF Photography are visiting Little Chums to take Christmas themed photos of the children.  The photographer will arrive around 9.15am to set-up and be ready to begin at 9.30am.

The children need to be pre-dressed in outfits and have their hair styled as parents want in the photograph.  Clothes and styling is not provided by the photographer due to the numbers of photos that need to be taken.  We are hoping that all of the children already attending on the day will have their photos taken before lunch although if this is not possible, we will do all we can to 'protect' clothing.  We will of course ensure faces and hands are clean! Children with siblings will have both individual and sibling photos.

Children who are not present on this day, but whose parents have requested a photo in the afternoon, will be contacted by email separately with a time to attend. This is likely to be from around 1.00pm onwards.  Although we expect the photo session to run reasonably smoothly, please be prepared to wait even with an appointment time. The photos are being taken in the second preschool room (After-school Club room), so parents in the afternoon should go direct to the bottom preschool door.  Rachael will be there to great you and help, but it will be the responsibility of parents to ensure children are dressed and clean.

The photographer will stay as long as possible.  If they are still here by the time After-School Club arrive back from school, they too can have their photograph, but there are no guarantees. Please pack a Christmas jumper or simple outfit in your child's school bag in case.

Soon after the photos are taken, there will be different bundles you can purchase ranging from £8 for a single digital download and print and download bundles from £20.  All bundles have options to view and purchase online - Little Chums will not be handling purchases or money.  These photos are a great opportunity for a beautiful Christmas present for loved ones!

Torfaen Santa Appeal

As the festive season approaches, Torfaen Social Services has launched its annual Santa Appeal to support those who might otherwise miss out this Christmas.

Running until Monday 2nd December 2024, the appeal ensures that every child and young adult supported by the service will receive a gift in time for Christmas.

For more information about the appeal, please visit the Torfaen page here...

Monday, 18 November 2024

Children in Need Fundraising Total

Thank you so much to those who donated to Children in Need using our JustGiving page!

After a few donations over the weekend, with your help we managed to raise £260, the most we have raised for any charity for a very long time and absolutely SMASHING last years total!

Our certificate is to the right, just click on it to enlarge it!

Friday, 15 November 2024

Children in Need 2024

It's Children in Need today, something we support passionately every year!

Children attended in fancy dress wearing something Children in Need themed, something Peppa Pig related (the Early Years theme this year), something spotty, comfortable pyjamas or any other fancy dress!  This also included the staff!

Every activity today was about Children in Need so featured Pudsey Bear, Peppa Pig or was yellow!

To see photos of the day, visit our Children in Need 2024 photo album here...

We send a big thank you to those parents who have already donated to the Children in Need appeal by using our JustGiving page!  At time of writing, we have smashed our £178 total raised last year with a fantastic £220!

We will wait till over the weekend and do a final total on Monday - the appeal is still open so if you can spare even just a pound or two, please donate using the link below!

https://bit.ly/chums-cin24

 

Thursday, 14 November 2024

Children in Need - Please Donate!!!

Don't forget, tomorrow is Children in Need! This years theme for Early Years is 'Peppa Pig'. The children are welcome to attend in fancy dress.  Either wear something Peppa Pig or Children in Need themed, something spotty, comfortable pyjamas or any other fancy dress you have!

We send a big thank you to those parents who have already donated using our JustGiving page!  We are hoping to beat the amount we raised last year of £174.  At time of writing we are at £173!!!

If you can spare even just a pound or two, please donate using the link below!

https://bit.ly/chums-cin24

Wednesday, 13 November 2024

November 2024 Newsletter

Little Chums has emailed out a newsletter for November 2024.

Didn't receive a copy of the newsletter by email?

Read it here...

Friday, 8 November 2024

Remembrance Day 2024

This Sunday, around the country, there will be many 'Remembrance' events honouring soldiers who have died in the line of duty.

The children at Little Chums have been learning and remembering in their own way by listening to and watching stories, playing with sand and water that are poppy themed and creating poppy wreaths and artwork.

Photos of their activities can be found in a photo album here...

Thursday, 7 November 2024

Children in Need Reminder

Next Friday 15th November is Children in Need! This years theme for Early Years is 'Peppa Pig'.  Click the image to the right to enlarge our poster!

We support this charity every year and as with previous years, the children will be enjoying various art and craft activities, along with fun and games!

The children are welcome to attend in fancy dress.  Either wear something Peppa Pig or Children in Need themed, something spotty, comfortable pyjamas or any other fancy dress you have!

We are asking for donations via our JustGiving page. We send a big thank you to those parents who have already donated, as requested, for wearing fancy dress at our Halloween party!  We know times are still financially tough for many families, but there are children out there who are even less fortunate than we are.

To donate even a small amount to Children in Need, please use your phone to scan the QR code on the posters around Little Chums, or use the direct link below!

https://bit.ly/chums-cin24

Wednesday, 6 November 2024

Toddler Fruit Platters

Toddlers have *really* been enjoying their snack time fruit platters recently!

They absolutely can't get enough!

See the proof on Facebook here...

Tuesday, 5 November 2024

Bonfire Night!

Another of our favourite times of year, Bonfire Night!

In celebration of this very British event, all of today the children have been:

  • completing firework and sparkler art & craft
  • making sparklers out of bread sticks
  • hearing Bonfire Night stories/rhymes
  • playing in Bonfire Night themed sand and water
  • playing with Bonfire Night themed play-doh
  • eating hot dogs
  • waving around real sparklers!

If you are attending a Bonfire Night celebration today, whether at home or at an organised display, please take care!

To warm you up ready and get you in the mood, see our Bonfire Night photo album here...

Monday, 4 November 2024

Bonfire Night Reminder

The children will be celebrating Bonfire Night tomorrow with art & craft, stories and hot dogs for tea!

We also have sparklers for the children to use. Although the sparklers will be stuck in carrots for the children to hold, for extra safety please send your children with gloves if attending tomorrow!

Thursday, 31 October 2024

Halloween 2024

What a busy, spoooooky week!  The children at Little Chums have been busy preparing for and celebrating Halloween!  WOOOOOOooooo! 

What have the children been up to?  Check out this list...

  • art and craft
  • games, fun and dancing
  • cake/biscuit making/decorating
  • apple bobbing
  • pumpkin carving
  • fancy dress
  • strange substances in the sand/water trays
  • Halloween breakfast
  • Halloween party lunch

See all the action in one of our biggest ever albums with over 420 photos, just click here...

Friday, 25 October 2024

Halloween Reminder!

Don't forget, Halloween is next Thursday 31st October!

As usual, Little Chums will be holding a Halloween Party with spooky fun, games, activities and party food! Please come in Halloween fancy dress and to show support, please also donate to the Children in Need 2024 appeal!
 
You can donate via 'JustGiving'! Just use the following link to visit our donation page (thanks to those who already have!) here:
 

Tuesday, 22 October 2024

Tots Pumpkin Patch Visit

Following in the (rather muddy) footsteps of Toddler and Preschool groups, Tots dressed in their wet weather gear and visited our friends at Ty Poeth Farm to look around the pumpkin patch! 

They had a good stomp in the mud and a visit to the spooky shed, before exploring the pumpkin patch itself!

As we've mentioned previously, please support your local farmer by visiting with your family for your pumpkins!  You can book tickets here...

To see our gallery photos of the Tots pumpkin patch visit, click here...

Babies Autumn Investigation

Due to the atrocious weather and all the mud, it's been impossible to get the babies up to the pumpkin patch in the pushchairs, so the staff decided to bring the outdoors inside and set up a 'tuff tray' full of pumpkins, twigs, leaves, acorns, pine cones and conkers!

As well as using their senses to explore these Autumn items, the babies also used magnifying glasses to look at them up close!

If the weather clears up a bit, we'll do our best to get the babies up to the pumpkin patch.

In the meantime, see photos of the babies Autumn investigation here...