Updates from 2022
Well, what a year 2022 has been! It has been great to be back fully operating after Covid and see the children (old and new) playing. It has truly been completely heartwarming for all of the staffing team.
Back in March, we were successful in winning the South Wales Family Friendly Business Award and the team thoroughly deserved this. Management and team leaders enjoyed a well-worthy celebration in the Vale Hotel. It was a shame that the entire team could not join us. Perhaps next time?!
A new rainbow-coloured canopy has been installed in the rear garden which now enables us to continue playing outside in all weathers despite the rain. We tend to have our best play in the rain whilst hiding under the trees. The canopy has been a useful colourful addition.
The main addition this year has been the new structure at the front of the nursery for our older children which we now call the “Cwtsh” which in Welsh means a hug, cuddle or a small cupboard! It accommodates a further 24 children meaning that our full capacity increases from 50 to 74. As a result, our staffing team is expanding too and we are pleased to welcome promising positive members onboard.
The front garden is now even larger and there is more free-flowing play possible between both gardens. Security has been enhanced too to ensure that the free flow element of the Cwtsh works safely. However, what we all must keep in mind is a nursery is only as good as the staff who care for and nurture the children. Fantastic surroundings help but only if that care element from the team is second to none.
The main building has had a complete revamp and every room has been decorated and moved around. The rooms also have new names and new team leaders in each one. It might take us a while to get used to the new room names. Despite the new room names, we still have a no running inside policy!! The new room names are crawlers, walkers, joggers, runners, and sprinters. Upstairs is now mainly for under 2 and downstairs is for over 2, whilst the Cwtsh is for over 3.
We have also introduced more eco-friendly initiatives throughout the nursery and we have signed up for the Welsh Assembly’s green pledge. Some examples of these are composting food, separating our recyclable waste, water butts, compost garden bin, glass milk bottles, less meat on the menu and encouraging all to be more energy efficient. We also have a bike rack and electric car charging points in the business park. We have cut down on the amount of paper purchased and wasted and we no longer buy glitter. We hope to follow up with more ideas in 2023 and always encourage more parent participation.
We have been successful once again in obtaining our Chasps accreditation (Cardiff healthy and sustainable pre-school scheme) for the 5th year running. A huge amount of work goes into this but a particular thanks to the managers.
In terms of staff training, we continue to encourage all of our staff to continue with their personal development. Many of the staff are now qualified Playworkers too which enables children to have more choices and freedom whilst choosing their play.