Future Plans
The garden had a make over last year, we are now ready for phase 2 of the garden renovations. We have devised a way to give the children 17m² extra play space by building up the stepped area at both ends of the garden to the current play area level. We will be making these changes over the next few weekends starting with any metal support work needed. The next plan is to increase the chipped bark area to cover the existing pathways and to resurface the concrete areas. The changes will take a while as they can only be done at weekends and weather pending but will make a big difference to the space available to the children.
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Teddy Bears Picnic - all welcome !
Every year the Pre School Playgroup Association hold a teddy bears picnic - one in Cwmbran and one in Pontypool, where parents with pre school children are invited along for a few hours of fun and games. The Nursery will be providing a cake decorating table for the children to have fun making works of art with icing and sweeties. A bouncy castle and lots of activities are provided so please come and join us.
Cwmbran - 18th June 2009 at Llanyravon Sports and Social Club
Pontypool - CANCELLED DUE TO LACK OF VENUE!!!!
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The garden is next!! 2008
The renovations of the lower floor are almost complete with just the painting of the hall way to go. The garden has a playhouse with flower garden planned, a water play centre and bike track plus a planting area and bug stack. The garden will be started as soon as the weather breaks allowing us to start painting and building.
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New Floor now totally renovated and providing lots of fun for our under 2's
The new floor opened in January and we haven't looked back ever since!
After 10 years operating in the building we finally secured the use of the whole building providing access directly from the pavement on Osborne Road, avoiding the steps which we have had to use up until now.
Our next plans involve redecorating and remodelling the lower floor of the Nursery, our original floor. We will be removing some walls and fitting a soft play room.
Many people may be aware that after 10 years of waiting and hoping we have finally secured the Scala Cinema for expansion of the Nursery. The Nursery will be set over the two floors with the main entrance being on the pavement level - no more hideous steps to use!
The down stair's of the Nursery we aim to make more open plan and accommodate children over 2 years. We could not do this before due to the extra noise disturbing the babies, but we feel the changes will benefit from extra light and space in the whole area.
The new upstairs will be used for the babies under 2 years with a stair case linking the two floors. We will be able to increase our baby group numbers and take on more staff to care for them daily.
Much work is needed on the new floor so it will take a while before we open our doors for the new children - but be prepared - there will be a big party to celebrate!!!
We have just purchased the soft play area which was in the Mega Bowl, Newport. The equipment has been cleaned and gone into storage until the upper floors are ready and it will probably be put in one of the downstairs rooms - we can't wait!
Our first planning meeting took place today - 3rd August - with Ron Couch Building Contractors who have very recently been given the contract to refurbish the building. We are very excited as the work will commence soon bringing us one step closer to our expansion. Yippee!!
Update 6.9.07
The scaffolding has been erected all around the building ready for the roof to be renewed which is starting on Monday. The chimney stacks are being taken down today as they are now obsolete and the interior continues with its renovation. The work is moving along swiftly thanks to the builders so we can look forward to moving in - date yet unknown. Below are a few photos of progress so far.
Update 11.9.07
The interior walls have now all been built and are being plastered. The toilets are undergoing massive change with a large disabled toilet being constructed in the old men's loos and a children's toilet in the old ladies loo. The roof is still being re newed as shown in the following photos.
Update 8.10.07
After a meeting today with the builders, they are looking at finishing the work on the upper floor by the end of the month so we will be able to get in a start making the final touches to transform it into a Nursery. Once this is complete Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales attend to inspect the new premises to ensure they are safe before we can start caring for children in the area. We are hoping that by Christmas all will be complete and up to standard so more spaces will be available for all ages of children.
Update 12.10.07
The building has been painted, windows finishes and plumbing being finished so the scaffolding is booked in for removal on Friday 19th October - at last!! The staircase is being fitted this weekend so we have a really busy 2 days getting the Nursery back on track for Monday.
Update 5.11.07
The builders and decorators have all moved out at last - it is our turn now to start making the very large area into a Nursery !!!!
Update 6.12.07
The building is fast becoming a beautiful Nursery ready for our children under 2. Most of the toys are in place, the cots are ready and a fabulous milk kitchen has been built. The Environmental Health Dept and Building Regs Dept has passed the area, we are just waiting for the Fire Officer and CSSIW to visit and pass the area ready for us to move in.
Parents are now able to use the front entrance to enter the Nursery instead of the awful steps we have had to use for the last 10 years! Photos will be posted soon showing the new playroom.
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Update 07/06/07 - Open Day
We are having an open day at the Nursery on July 14th from 10am - 4pm. We are holding it the same day as the carnival as parents can visit whilst in the town centre. Everyone is welcome to visit the Nursery to see what we have to offer the children in our community and the education we provide. It is also interesting for the people in our community to see how we have transformed the interior of the building from a hall to a functioning Nursery.
Come and see us on July 14th.
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Update 03/05/07 - Teddy Bears Picnic
The Wales PPA ( Pre School Playgroup Association ) are holding their very popular annual Teddy Bears Picnic in Pontypool and Cwmbran this year. We will be there with a games tent with a prize for all as well as the fun provided by the PPA. This year there will be a bouncy castle, story telling, games and a competition for best dressed teddy.
All are very welcome - just bring a picnic, teddy and children of all ages ! The events are taking place on -
19th June 4pm - 6pm at Woodland Road Park and Social Club
11th July 4pm - 6pm at Pontypool Park
Please come rain or shine and have lots of fun. If it is raining the local playgroups will provide a dry place to play.
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Update 21/4/07 - Pontypool & Cwmbran Carnivals
We are lucky to be accompanying the Webster team this year to both carnivals and will have a 
display within their tent. Come and see us there for a colouring competition and lots of photos of the Nursery as well as details on how to save money on your child care. There will also be a reflexologist there to sooth your aching feet and ailments.
We look forward to seeing you there on -
16th June - Cwmbran Carnival
14th July - Pontypool carnival
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Update 14/2/07 - BEEL Baby Effective Early Learning
BEEL is an accreditation aimed at settings caring for children under 3 years. The Nursery has been working towards the award for almost a year and it involves constant evaluation and assessment of the care, education and development of the under 3's in the Nursery. These assessments are then used to help raise and maintain a high standard within the nursery. We thought it was important to follow this award as the over 3's already have a quality award aimed at them within the ESTYN inspections for education so we wanted something to cover the younger children. Later in the summer an inspector will attend the Nursery and make the award based on all the evidence gained over the year.
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Update 26/12/07 - 10 Year Celebration
Its hard to believe that the Nursery is coming up to its 10th year serving the children of our 
community. We were registered on the 24th December 1997 and opened our doors to our first children on January 5th 1998. We have come a long way in 10 years from being awarded Investors in People Accreditation, becoming Registered Providers for Education in Torfaen and winning many business awards. We will be celebrating with a big party - hopefully attended by our past children, present children and their parents- details to follow. We are also celebrating by working towards another award to recognise the quality of care provided to our babies - the BEEL Quality Award.
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Update 05/11/07 - Investors in People
We are currently undergoing reassessment for the Investors in People Accreditation which is a nationally recognised quality mark assuring the quality of business, management, training and internal procedures which are key to a successful business. Each business must undergo reassessment at least every 3 years to maintain recognition and we are hoping to successfully achieve this very shortly. Our reassessment date has been confirmed for 18th June 2007 when Julie Hobby will spend the day at the Nursery, talking to staff and checking our management and training procedure's.