Category: Wenvoe Playgroup

By the time you are reading this, we will be well into the summer holidays and in relaxation mode.

Over the summer term we have been very busy developing the Village Hall garden here at Playgroup and I must admit it looks blooming marvellous.

Who are we? – Wenvoe Playgroup is a registered charity, managed by local residents and parents of the group. We were originally set up in 1969 by a group of parents/residents to offer care to Children of pre-school age (We celebrate our 50th Birthday in 2019 so watch this space).

The Person in Charge on a day to day basis is myself Sandra Morgan. I was born in Rectory Close here in Wenvoe (let’s say over 50 years ago) and came to work for Wenvoe Playgroup in 2008 to save it from closure. I have worked with pre-school children for nearly 25years, adjusting to many childcare & education changes along the way.

Over the years the group has been lucky enough to have numerous fantastic Committee members, who have supported the groups needs with their fundraising efforts and support.

Of course, we wouldn’t have such a successful playgroup if it wasn’t for the wonderful, dedicated staff who support the children on a daily basis.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff; Kim, Fran, Jeannette, Charlotte, Heulwen & Marilyn for their hard work and dedication over the past years and to our current Committee, Jody, Amy, Emily & Sarah for their dedication and support to the group at this time. A big thank you must go to Lisa and Darren who have supported the group behind the scenes for many years and hopefully for many more years to come.

From this September we are expecting high numbers of children and I would urge anyone thinking of joining the group to contact us to show their interest. You can contact us by visiting our new website www.wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk

There are many photographs on our new website to view along with other information which you may find useful.

On the website you will find ‘The Statement of Purpose’, this will show our operating times & costs, along with everything you need to know. If you need a little explanation on how we can support your children with Gwenfo Nursery then send us an email or pop in and see us on Wednesday 5th September when we are open from 9am until 3.15pm.

(If wishing to telephone please do so when we return on Wednesday 5th September from 9am).

I look forward to seeing everyone in September

 

Sandra x

 

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Most recently our afternoon group visited the Community Orchard. We walked over the foot bridge near to the Playgroup and on into Monkton house as I know it (some of you may know it as the tennis courts or football field) and down to the bottom into the Orchard. The children enjoyed investigating the area and I must say what a great area it is to visit with the Children and right on our doorstep.

The children found the pond most interesting and on return some children drew a picture of the pond and the green grass, however, I’m not so sure the pond was as blue as their pictures. We walked back to the Playgroup via the tunnel into Vennwood Close taking many photos along the way to display in our group.

Children of all ages will love the area I’m sure, so next time you are wondering what to do with the children for an hour or two, why not pop across the bridge and see it for yourselves. We hope to walk our morning members across soon.

We are always looking for new ways to support families with care for preschool children and as you are aware we now offer support to those children who attend Gwenfo Nursery. We most recently held a drop in session in May, which we did try to advertise in May What’s On, however, the article was lost in transit somehow, so apologies if you missed this.

 

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I recently attended a meeting with regard to the Governments 30-hour Childcare offer which they propose to roll out across Wales by 2020.

It will be offered for 48 weeks of the year for all children the term after their 3rd Birthday until the September after their 4th Birthday (Nursery age).

To be eligible, both parents in the household need to work a minimum of 16 hours per week at the National Minimum Wage (NMW). If you are a single parent family the 16-hour rule applies at the NMW.

The 30 hours will be split between education and childcare provider e.g. 15 at Nursery and 15 with a Childcare Provider.

Although Nursery School offer term time only which is 39 weeks per year, we have been advised that the extra 9 weeks at 30 hours can be claimed with a childcare provider.

This is very exciting news for Playgroup with the wraparound that we provide alongside Gwenfo Nursery. We can now start to plan a way forward and gather information to support the Community with their Childcare needs to be ready in time for 2020.

We will keep you up-to-date with the latest information as and when we receive it.

Playgroup numbers are continuing to rise, with the wrap around care facility most popular.

Children may be left in our care from 9am with their packed lunch from home and walked across to Gwenfo Nursery for 1pm for £16 each morning Monday to Friday.

We pick up everyday from Gwenfo Nursery at 11:20 and on into Playgroup until 12:45pm for a cost of £8 per child. On a Wednesday, children may be collected from Nursery and stay with us until 3:15pm for a cost of £16 per child. A packed lunch is provided from home to eat at 12 noon.

We care for children from the age of 2 years and 4 months and support their care and development until reception age. If you would like more information on any of the above then please email me wenvoeplaygroup@btinternet.com or telephone 20597494 between 9 and 12 noon Monday to Friday.

Sandra

 

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On Monday 2nd October we have arranged for Tempest Photography to visit the Playgroup from 3.30pm until 5pm. If anyone is interested in photographs them please come along. You don’t have to be a member at the Playgroup, this is open to all.

The photographer may take your choice of photo to include individual, children and family photos. Photos can be purchased on USB to perhaps create your Christmas Cards or in a choice of variety packs which may be useful for Christmas presents.

It’s up to you. If you would like further information please give Playgroup a call on 029 20597494 between 9:30am and 12:30pm or attend from 3:30pm on Monday 2nd October.

Wenvoe Playgroup operate from the Village Hall Monday to Friday from 9am until 12:45pm during term time. We care for children from the age of 2 years and 4 months to 4 years and 11months.

Costs are 9am until 11:45am £13 per day and 9am – 12:45pm £16 per day.

We can support families with children attending Gwenfo Nursery afternoon sessions, by offering wrap around care Monday to Friday. This allows families to leave children in our care from 9am and collect their children from Gwenfo Nursery at 3.30pm. The cost for this is £16 per day.

We also collect children Monday to Friday from Gwenfo Nursery at 11.20am and walk the children across to the Playgroup until 12:45pm. The cost of care is £8 per day.

On Wednesdays only, we may care for children from 11:20am until 3:15pm for £16

If you would like more information then please read our Statement of Purpose and Admissions Policy on our website wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk or call us on 029 20597494

We have limited space at this time and for children wishing to start in the New Year we have a waiting list.

 

 

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Playgroup are back on Thursday 7th September from 9am until 12:45pm (and onto Gwenfo Nursery for 1pm) for all those children who are returning after the summer break. Don’t forget your lunch boxes.

We will be collecting from the Nursery week commencing the 11th September at 11:20 am for those returning. If unsure please give us a ring 029 20597494

Thursday 7th September and Friday 8th September will also be settling in days for parents and children who are new to the setting in time to start from Monday 11th September.

If you would like to know more about Playgroup life, why not call in an see us on Thursday 7th or Friday 8th September to see how we can help.

We offer extended care with Gwenfo Nursery School. Our hours of opening are Monday to Friday from 9am until 12:45pm & Wednesday 9am until 3:15pm Term Time Only.

For more information please visit our website wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk or email us on wenvoeplaygroup@btinternet.com

Our first fundraiser of the new term is with Spiritulist Medium Nataly Churchill. I’m sure some of you who have attended previous evenings are intrigued to learn more about your loved ones? The event details are as follow:

 

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WENVOE PLAYGROUP

 

As I am writing this we only have a few weeks remaining until the end of term, which I’m sure will be busy, fun times.

Our open afternoon was held in June, however, should you wish to enquire about spaces at Playgroup you can contact us anytime up until the 21st July on 02920597494, wenvoeplaygroup@ btinternet.com or keep up to date via our web site wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk. During the holidays please contact us via email

We close on Friday 21st July for the summer holidays and resume for children returning from the summer term on Thursday 7th September.

Thursday 7th and Friday 8th September will be settling in days for new intake children and parents, with a start date of week commencing 11th September.

I would just like to thank ‘The Parents’ The Committee’ Gwenfo Primary and everyone in the Community who continues to support Wenvoe Playgroup in various ways to ensure its success and continuation.

Have a safe relaxing summer

 

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We would like to take this opportunity to thank Glenys and Mike Tucker for their very generous donation from proceeds of the Spring Craft Fayre Raffle. We hope to purchase much needed equipment for the children and will let you know in due course what items the children have chosen. Thank you so much for thinking of us.

We would also like to thank everyone who supported our Marica Bassey Jones night at the hall. Just under £800 was raised for the Playgroup.

Writing this we are now on our way to half term holiday. We cannot believe we have only 7 weeks to go until Summer Term ends. This has been one of the quickest years so far. We would just like to thank everybody out there who has supported the Playgroup over the past year and hope that you will continue to do so in the near future. Many thanks

 

 

Wenvoe Playgroup has recently received a generous donation of £300 from the Waitrose Community Matters scheme. Based on green tokens collected in the Barry store last year, the funding will support a range of activities.

We've had further funding success too for an environmental project from the Co-op. We've been nominated as one of their Local Causes. Co-op Members can choose us as their nominated cause between now and October to increase the amount of funding we will receive. The project involves eco-activities workshops for the children, garden equipment, a new mud kitchen for messy play, and a visit to a local community garden. So if you are not already a Co-op Member, please join today and support us every time you buy Co-op branded products and services. Thank you!

 

SPRING CRAFT FAIR

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the very many people who attended the Wenvoe Spring Craft Fair in the Wenvoe Community Centre on Sunday 14 May. Once again, the event was an overwhelming success with all of the crafters doing a brisk trade.

The Potter, the Eccentric Gin Company taster sessions, Tricycle Treats ice cream Tricycle and the refreshment stall were all busy all day and The Village Gardener sold out! The Raffle (to which many local residents and crafters donated prizes) made £272 profit which has been divided equally between the Wenvoe Playgroup and the Wenvoe Wildlife group; two very worthy local groups. Profits from the refreshments on this occasion went to Llamau, Wales' largest homeless charity and £110 was raised.

Huge thanks go to my co-organiser (and husband) Mike and to my family and our friends for all their hard work setting up and decorating the venue, selling refreshments and Raffle tickets and clearing away in the evening. Thank you all for your support and I hope we'll see you at the Wenvoe Christmas Craft Fair on Sunday 26 November when Raffle profits will be divided between Rally for Romeo and St Mary's Church, Wenvoe. If you would like more information please contact me on 07922109721 or at pukkatucker@gmail.com.

Glenys Tucker

 

We have been very busy at the Playgroup over the last half term. The Children have been busy planting for Mothering Sunday, Supporting Red Nose Day and cleaning their outside garden space in time for the Summer Term. Prior to the Easter Holidays we held our Easter Fayre, where the children sang a collection of songs with a surprise visit from Peppa Pig, who gave each of them an Easter Egg for singing so beautifully (It always brings a tear to your eye watching their faces light up as Peppa enters the room).

Our Committee held a cheese and wine tasting event with quiz at the hall, selling over 100 tickets. A fun evening was had by all and a staggering £800 was raised for the playgroup. Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets and supported the event and a big thank you to Uncle Dai for arranging the quiz. Thanks must go to Vicky, Lisa, Michelle and Rachel from our Committee who gave up their time to put on the event. Well done, an excellent return for playgroup ladies.

WHO ARE WE?

Wenvoe Playgroup is a registered charity which has been in operation for 48 years at the Village Hall. Parents of children who attend the playgroup are elected each year at the AGM to form a committee. We Co-opt members of the community who have previously served on the Playgroup Committee to support a smoother operation. The Committee employ Sandra Morgan along with her registration with CSSIW to run and operate the playgroup. Sandra holds a level 5 qualification in Early Years and Management.

The playgroup employs an additional 5 staff, 3 of whom hold a level 3 Early Years qualification, 1 staff with 20 years’ experience and 1 staff, who works part-time to support the wrap around care. We offer care for children from the age of 2 years and 4 months up to the age of 4 years and 11months. Our staff offer a safe, caring and stimulating environment where the children may learn through play.

The playgroup operates from the Village Hall Monday to Friday from 9am until 12:45pm offering extended hours on Monday and Wednesday until 3:15pm.

At this time we operate ‘Wrap around Care’ with Gwenfo Nursery each morning, taking the children across to the nursery for 1pm. This allows working parents daily care for their children from 9am until 3.30pm. For those children who attend morning nursery we offer collection from the nursery and on into playgroup on Monday and Wednesday, collecting children 11:20am and on into Playgroup until 3:15pm.

If you would like more information with regard to how we can help support your child then please contact playgroup 02920594724 during opening hours. Alternatively email us on wenvoeplaygroup@ btinternet.com

Why not visit our website wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk to view our recent photograhs and find out a little more about us by viewing our Statement of Purpose, Operation Plan and Admissions document. Costs of care can also be found online.