Wednesday, 4 February 2026

Talywain RFC

Can we please ask a cheeky favour? Many of our parents and children are from the Talywain area and are involved with Talywain RFC. To give back to the community, Little Chums sponsors Talywain Minis & Juniors RFC

They are currently taking part in the TESCO blue token scheme to raise money for training kits and equipment.
 
If you are in Pontypool TESCO, please get your blue tokens at the checkout and put them in the Talywain Minis & Juniors RFC slot on the right hand side of the box as shown in the photo!
 
Thanks for your help!

Food Hygiene Inspection

Our main kitchen and food hygiene practises were recently inspected by the Environmental Health department from Torfaen. 

We are proud to announce that we have managed to maintain our ‘5’ score, the top rating you can achieve!  Our report states that our food hygiene and safety procedures are very good, as is our structural compliance (kitchen cleanliness, layout, condition, etc.). The inspector was 'highly confident' in our management and control procedures.  We received no recommendations for improvement.

This now means we can reapply for our ‘Elite’ rating as we have scored ‘5’ on successive inspections over many years.

Well done to our cook, Alix, for maintaining such good standards and to everyone else involved in supporting her role in the kitchen.

Tuesday, 3 February 2026

February 2026 Newsletter

Little Chums has emailed out a newsletter for February 2026. 

Didn't receive a copy of the newsletter by email or deleted it by accident?

Read it online here...

Monday, 2 February 2026

Electrician Required!

Do you know a reputable, reliable and cost effective electrician? We require some works completed at Little Chums including electrical safety testing, PAT testing and fire safety testing. 

If you know of and can recommend a fully qualified person who is DBS police checked, please let us know by email using our usual address marked for the attention of Andrew.

Thanks! 

Thursday, 29 January 2026

Preschool Airways!

The topic this term has been 'transport' and this week in particular has been planes. 

Both Preschool and Toddlers have been making paper aeroplanes and after FINALLY there being a break in the rain, Preschool managed to get outside to try their paper planes out!

Of course, while outside they couldn't resist a quick runaround and play with the 'loose parts'.

To see photos of the planes in flight, visit the photo album here... 

Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Dydd Santes Dwynwen

On the weekend it was 'Dydd Santes Dwynwen' or 'St Dwynwen's Day'.  St Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers and love and romance is celebrated on the 25th January every year! To find out more about this occasion, read some information on the 'Visit Wales' website here... 

Children in Preschool celebrated this event by making some lovely cards, which you should have received by now!

To see a sample of the cards they made, click the image to the right to enlarge it! 

Wednesday, 21 January 2026

No Smoking/Vaping Reminder

A polite reminder... 

From 1st March 2021, it became illegal to smoke/vape on hospital grounds, play areas and school grounds, including day nurseries such as Little Chums.

Just recently we have seen some parents vaping in our car park and on at least one occasion at our entrance doorway.

For the health interests of all, please refrain from smoking/vaping on our premises. We do not want to embarrass either you or ourselves by having to ask in person.

Please pass on this message to all that drop-off or collect your child(ren), including Grandparents or other family members or friends.

Thank you for your cooperation. 

Friday, 16 January 2026

Welsh Promise Bronze Award

We are incredibly proud to announce we have achieved the nationally recognised bronze award for using Welsh at Little Chums.  See our certificate opposite. 

This achievement highlights our commitment to promoting the Welsh language and creating a welcoming, bilingual environment for children.

Our Development Officer at Clybiau Plant said...

"I would also like to say how impressed I am by your dedication and the consistently high-quality evidence, planning, and commitment you have shown towards the Welsh Promise. It has been genuinely refreshing to see, and I am delighted to have you throughout this process."

We are now moving forward in March and intend to work towards the silver award.

Wednesday, 14 January 2026

Breakfast Block Build

Even months after buying them, Preschool and Breakfast Club are still loving the new wooden building blocks! 

This morning they built a giant wooden train!

See the photos on our Facebook page here... 

Friday, 9 January 2026

Weather Update

Little Chums is open!
 
There is no snow or ice, but take care on the driveway and all walking surfaces as it is very wet.
 
Babies and Tots parents, please still use the main door.

Wednesday, 7 January 2026

Weather Warning

If you arrived early at Little Chums this morning, you would have seen members of staff on the driveway giving warnings about ice and very slippery surfaces.  The affected surfaces were salted immediately and we thank our builder friends at G. Adams for helping out.

For your safety, the steps up to the Tots room door and the path around to Baby room door will remain closed for the rest of the week. Please drop-off and/or collect from the main door and please be patient while we bring your child to you.

For the next few days, please drive *very slowly* on the driveway and take care walking in the car park. DO NOT walk on the cobbles, these are not treated as the salt has no effect because it falls in the gaps! 

The forecast for the next few days seems to be more of the same cold weather, including a warning about snow overnight Thursday into Friday. We will keep you updated using our website and social media pages about how we are affected if any snow arrives. If snow does arrive, we will review early on Friday whether we can safely use the cars to transport children to and from New Inn School.

If at all possible for the rest of the week, please collect your child(ren) a little earlier, particularly on Thursday if it begins to snow, so that staff and children can travel home safely.

Monday, 5 January 2026

Snow Fun!

We didn't end up with much snow, but Preschool still managed to get outside to play with the light dusting we did have!
 
They didn't stay out too long because it was *bitterly* cold and some of the children forgot their gloves, but it was still great fun in the crisp air! 
 
See the photos in the album here...

Snow Safety

UPDATE: 
 
The steps to Tots and rear path to the Babies entrance are now cleared, salted and have reopened. Please still take care on *ALL* paths as it is still VERY cold! Please continue to avoid walking on all cobbled areas.
 
------

A light dusting of snow has settled at Little Chums.
 
The path to the main building and main Preschool door has been cleared and is salted.
 
The path around to the Baby door entrance and the steps up to Tots Room are temporarily closed. Baby and Tots parents, please use the main door.
 
PLEASE, do not walk on the cobbles in the main car park. Walk on the loose chippings only!
 
Take care!

Friday, 2 January 2026

January 2026 Newsletter

Little Chums has emailed out a newsletter for January 2026. 

Didn't receive a copy of the newsletter by email or deleted it by accident?

Read it online here...

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Blwyddyn Newydd Dda! 
 
We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!
 
Some children in Preschool have already been at work creating 'vision boards' which show their plans and wishes for 2026!
 
The photos of this activity are on our Facebook page here...