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Over the summer period Torfaen Play, Youth and Sport Development services came together to provide a fun filled and engaging childcare provision for keyworker children and the most vulnerable.
The Council provided seven school based childcare hubs to support keyworker and vulnerable children, providing the equivalent of 3306 days of support.
Staff adapted to a new and often challenging way of working in line with the Covid-19 guidelines whilst ensuring the wellbeing and safety of children were paramount at all times.
Children had the opportunity to take part in a range of activities each day at hubs including the daily mile, team games, music, arts and crafts and more.
Prior to the summer break the same teams also worked in partnership with school teachers and Torfaen catering and cleaning teams to provide daily support to children of keyworkers at select primary and secondary school locations.
Since the childcare hubs formed services have been inundated with thank you messages from parents and carers, thanking them for the enthusiasm and care shown in supporting their children during these tough times. Some included:
‘This service has been a life saver for me as a self-employed keyworker. It has allowed me to work knowing my boys are cared for and having fun’ Emma Jeffries – Parent at Llantarnam Hub
‘These guys have literally saved me, my job and my sanity whist providing the most enjoyable, exiting, friendly and also professional time for my son.’ Emma Littlejohn – Parent at George Street Hub
‘Despite it being unsettling times, my children have had an amazing summer with you and want the hub to continue every summer. They have felt safe, always came home with a fun story to tell and gained so much confidence and new friends.’ Shel Ley – Parent at New Inn Hub
Executive Member for Children, Families & Communities, Councillor Fiona Cross said, “We are extremely proud to have been able to support the most vulnerable children and children of keyworkers in Torfaen in attending childcare hub provisions over the past several months, which in effect helped many parents and carers to continue working.
By working collaboratively, our dedicated play, sports and youth teams have been able to deliver fun activities whilst following the social distancing rules and guidance.
All staff involved in both the summer childcare provision and childcare hubs delivered in the midst of the pandemic have gone above and beyond.
All services have worked so well together throughout these challenging times and have provided children with a fun and safe environment to play”
Dros yr haf, daeth Gwasanaethau Chwarae, Ieuenctid a Datblygu Chwaraeon Torfaen ynghyd i gynnig darpariaeth gofal plant hwyliog a dymunol i blant gweithwyr allweddol a’r mwyaf bregus.
Rhoddodd y Cyngor saith hyb gofal plant mewn ysgolion i gefnogi plant gweithwyr allweddol a’r mwyaf bregus, gan roi cyfystyr â 3306 diwrnod o gefnogaeth.
Addasodd staff i ffyrdd newydd a heriol o weithio yn unol â’r canllawiau Covid-19 gan sicrhau fod lles a diogelwch y plant yn flaenaf ar bob adeg.
Cafodd plant gyfle i gymryd rhan mewn amrywiaeth o weithgareddau pob dydd mewn hybiau gan gynnwys y filltir ddyddiol, gemau tîm, cerddoriaeth, celf a chrefft a rhagor.
Cyn gwyliau’r haf gweithiodd yr un timau hefyd gydag athrawon a thimau arlwyo a glanhau Torfaen i gynnig cefnogaeth ddyddiol i blant gweithwyr allweddol mewn mannau penodol mewn ysgolion cynradd ac uwchradd.
Ers ffurfio’r hybiau gofal plant mae’r gwasanaethau wedi derbyn llwyth o negeseuon gan rieni a gofalwyr yn diolch iddyn nhw am y brwdfrydedd a’r gofal a ddangoswyd yn y gefnogaeth i’w plant yn ystod yr adeg anodd yma. Roedd y rhain yn cynnwys:
‘Mae’r gwasanaeth hwn wedi bod yn wych i fi fel gweithwyr allweddol hunangyflogedig. Mae e wedi fy ngalluogi i weithio gan wybod fod fy mechgyn yn cael eu gwarchod ac yn cael hwyl’ Emma Jeffries – Rhiant yn Hyb Llantarnam
‘Mae’r bobl yma wedi fy achub yn llythrennol, ynghyd â fy swydd a fy iechyd meddwl ac wedi rhoi amser dymunol, cyffrous, cyfeillgar a phroffesiynol i fy mab.’
Emma Littlejohn – Rhiant yn Hyb Stryd Siôr
‘Er yr amserau cythryblus, mae fy mhlant wedi cael haf wrth eu bodd gyda chi ac maen nhw am i’r hyb barhau pob haf. Maen nhw wedi teimlo’n ddiogel, roedden nhw bob amser yn dod adref gyda storïau ac maen nhw wedi magu cymaint o hyder a chael ffrindiau newydd.’ Shel Ley - Rhiant yn Hyb Y Dafarn Newydd
Dywedodd yr Aelod Gweithredol dros Blant, Teuluoedd a Chymunedau, y Cynghorydd Fiona Cross, “Rydym yn falch iawn ein bod wedi gallu cefnogi’r plant mwyaf bregus a phlant gweithwyr allweddol yn Nhorfaen wrth iddyn nhw fynychu hybiau gofal plant yn ystod y misoedd diwethaf, a oedd i bob pwrpas yn helpu nifer o rieni a gofalwyr i barhau i weithio.
Trwy weithio ar y cyd, mae ein timau chwarae, chwaraeon ac ieuenctid wedi gallu cynnig gweithgareddau hwyliog tra’n dilyn y rheolau a’r cyfarwyddyd ar gadw pellter cymdeithasol ar yr un pryd.
Mae’r staff i gyd sydd wedi bod ynghlwm wrth y ddarpariaeth gofal plant dros yr haf a’r hybiau gofal plant yn ystod y pandemig wedi mynd yr ail filltir. Mae’r gwasanaethau i gyd wedi gweithio mor dda gyda’i gilydd trwy gydol yr amser heriol yma ac wedi rhoi lle hwyliog a diogel i blant chwarae”
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