Our Early Years Manager, Sarah Mutch, and staff from the childcare setting 'Busy Feet' recently attended the royal garden party at Buckingham Palace, recognised for their exceptional work in public service and Early Years.
Hosted by King Charles, the event celebrated individuals making significant community contributions. Guests, including members of the Royal Family, enjoyed an elegant afternoon with live music and refreshments in the palace gardens.
These invitations highlight their dedication and impact, making this a proud moment for all of us. Congratulations, Sarah and the staff at Bust Feet!
 All settings providing Flying Start childcare must complete an Individual Child Placement (ICP) Form. This form is filled out by the childcare provider after reaching an agreement with the parents or guardians.
We kindly remind all settings that child placements should not commence until the ICP has been approved and the funding Start Date, End Date, and Funded Hours have been confirmed by Early Years. We are experiencing an increasing number of cases where children start their placements before funding approval, which causes complications.
The Early Years Hub will always strive to process the ICP as quickly as possible.
Applications are now open for Caerphilly Play's National Play Day 2025 Small Grants Scheme, offering up to £200 for childcare settings, childminders, and out-of-school clubs in Caerphilly County Borough to run low-cost, inclusive play events for children aged 4–12.
Events must take place between 5th–11th August, be free or cost no more than £1, and support this year’s theme: “Playing on a shoestring – making every day an adventure.” The deadline to apply is 12pm on Wednesday 2nd July, with successful applicants notified by Friday 18th July. Contact Laura Williams at willil17@caerphilly.gov.uk or 07720 103858 for more details.
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 It’s that exciting time of year once again whereby planning for the delivery of Play in the Park in well underway.
All sessions will be open from 11am - 2pm. Dates and locations are as follows:
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Wednesday, 6th August, Morgan Jones Park, Caerphilly CF83 1AB
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Friday, 8th August, Eisteddfod Field, Tan-Y-Llan Terrace, Rhymney NP22 5HE
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Monday, 11th August, Abercarn Rugby Club – Welfare Ground, Abercarn NP11 5AR
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Wednesday, 13th August, Abertridwr Playground, Aberfawr Rd, Abertridwr CF83 4EJ
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Tuesday, 19th August, Waunfawr Park, Waunfawr Park Rd, Crosskeys NP11 7PH
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Thursday, 21st August, Ystrad Mynach Park, Caerphilly Road CF83 7EP
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Wednesday, 27th August, Blackwood Showfield, Sunnybank Road, Blackwood NP12 1HY
Further details to follow next month.
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Childcare Offer for Wales: Applications open on 18 June for Childcare Offer for Wales for children with a date of birth 1 April 2022 to 31 August 2022. Please encourage eligible parents to apply for funding to start in September. Information and how to apply is on our website: Funded childcare for 3 and 4 year olds/Childcare Offer for Wales - Caerphilly Early Years
Flying Start funded childcare: Parents who applied for Flying Start childcare by the 12 May will receive a decision email by 5pm on 9 June. They will them start to contact you to arrange their placements. Please take this opportunity to make sure your resource on Dewis is up to date: Flying Start childcare providers (Dewis)
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 Following requests from some settings, we’ve managed to secure the Autism Reality Experience for a number of sessions in June/ July at St James ICC.
The Autism Reality Experience offers an unforgettable training course that authentically portrays the sensory processing challenges encountered by individuals on the autism spectrum every day. With a deep commitment to understanding and respecting the autistic community, this immersive experience serves as a catalyst for global transformation. Central to its ethos are the values of empathy, inclusion, and respect, setting a standard that all other training programs aspire to emulate.
If you would like to attend, please book your space using the link below.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1366092913679?aff=oddtdtcreator
Please arrive 10 minutes before your booking time as you will be required to complete a medical form before being allowed on the bus. Each session is approximately an hour.
For more information, please see the website Home - ARE
The Positive Masculinity Initiative is a dynamic program designed for young people aged 10-17. Their mission is to raise awareness and understanding around misogyny and gender-based violence, challenge negative behaviours, and encourage the development of positive masculinity.
Through mentoring and educational sessions, they aim to empower young people to recognise and address positive masculinity in themselves and others, fostering a safer and more inclusive community.
 Did you know children find it really hard to listen to 2 things at once? They can listen to your talking so much easier if there’s no distractions, so it can really help to turn the TV off and have quiet play time together, with lots of chatting to join in with! If you are watching a screen together, make sure to enjoy it together by:
- Talking about what the characters are doing.
- Using real life toys to join in with what’s happening on the screen. Match items on the screen with your toys if you can, ‘look it’s a pig, this is a pig too’.
- Pause and wonder what might happen next ‘I think they might get muddy on their walk!’.
- Sit somewhere where you can see each others faces.
- Make sure to include screen free play time before and after.
You can find this strategy in the 10 tips to help me learn to talk booklet.
For more information on interacting with young children, visit the Talk With Me Website.
 The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on Healthy Eating in Schools to improve children's nutrition. The consultation, open until July 29, 2025, seeks input on:
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Primary Schools: New food and drink regulations and guidance.
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Healthy Eating Promotion: Guidance for governing bodies and local authorities.
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Secondary Schools: Call for evidence on current practices.
Your participation is encouraged to help shape nutritional standards for children's health.
To have your say visit: Healthy eating in schools | GOV.WALES
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