Preschool Exercise

Preschool were full of exercise and activity yesterday regardless of the bad weather! 

 

After doing some yoga indoors following a video on our interactive screens, they then went outside for some fresh air and outdoor play!

 

The photos are in a post on our Facebook page here...

Reminder - St. David's Day / Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant

This year, St. David's Day / Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant is on a Sunday 1st March. 

Therefore,  at Little Chums we will be celebrating this event on Friday 27th February instead!

If your child attends on this day, please allow them to wear traditional dress, something else that signifies Wales, or just something red!

They will also be doing lots of Welsh themed activities, games and arts/crafts. There will perhaps be a Welsh cake treat too!

The poster shown here will be on all the main doors as a reminder! 

Valentine's Day 2026

Happy almost Valentine's Day everyone! As the actual day is tomorrow, we're celebrating today instead! On Friday the 13th!  However, just as in previous years the children at Little Chums went Valentine's Day crazy!

There were love hearts, banners and balloons everywhere, even the play tables were red or loved themed! The children also enjoyed a Valentine themed breakfast.

The children have been working hard all week on Valentine gifts and cards which you have probably already received. 

Visit the 2026 Valentine's Day photo album here...

Puddle Play

Is it ever going to stop raining? 

Regardless, Toddlers decided to get outside wrapped up in their puddle suits to splash around in the puddles that never seem to dry up these days!

Exercise and plenty of fresh air is really good for you whether it's raining pouring or not!

See the photos on our Facebook page here...

Safety Alert

For our parents who have older children, in case you have not seen this... 

 

There is a safeguarding concern relating to several titles in the 'According to Humphrey' and 'Spy Pups/Dog/Cat' book series by Andrew Cope.

 

Some copies of these books include a weblink on the back cover or on an interior page which no longer directs readers to information about the books. Unfortunately, this link has been compromised and may now lead to inappropriate and unsafe material that is not suitable for children of any age.

 

Please check if you have any of these books and remove the offending page.

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.

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...

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! 

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... 

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! 

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. 

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.

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... 

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.