FCC News

Jobs and Training Event

2011-07-29T17:13:00.000+01:00

Today we held a Jobs and Training event in partnership with Duffryn Community Link/Job Centre Plus and our local Communities First Team.

The event was supported by many local employers including Home base/Mears/Wales and West /Admiral/Recruitment agencies and many more. There were also many education and training providers offering advice on routes into training and employment including WEA/Newport University/Forest Children’s Centre/Careers Wales/A4E/Carers Project/Want 2 Work/JCP Parent Employment Advisor.

The day was a great success with over 100 attending, all visitors were invited to complete an evaluation form after the event and entered into a prize draw. (All prizes kindly donated by Duffryn Community Link) All winners have been notified by telephone and a few prizes remain uncollected.

See photos of this event in our gallery here...

Nursery Graduation 2011

2011-07-18T16:26:00.002+01:00

There were smiles and tears today at the centre as the Nursery children had their graduation day. The children wore gowns and mortarboards (hats) and were each presented with a certificate scroll.

This was followed by a dvd presentation of their time in Nursery over the last year.
Finally all parents/carers and children were treated to cake, lollies, strawberries and cream, sweets and of course a slice of graduation cake.

Chantelle would like to thank all of the FCC staff team for their hard work in making this a memorable day.

The Nursery children move up to “big school” in September and we wish them well and will miss them greatly.

See photos of this event in our gallery here...

Father's Day Breakfast

2011-06-16T14:22:00.002+01:00

To celebrate Father’s Day we held a special breakfast club for the Saturday morning dads group. All members of the group were invited to come along with their children for a fun morning of arts and crafts and messy play. To ensure they had plenty of energy the group started the session with a full ENGLISH breakfast (LOL you would never guess the Manager was English-would you!) expertly cooked by Andy (Centre Managers hubby).

The group were also surprised as the Centre had arranged a professional photographer to come along and photograph each dad with their children and this was presented in a magnetic photo frame.

Our thanks go to Lee Dare (www.leedarephotography.co.uk) who gave up his time and supported the event for a hugely reduced fee.

See photos of this event in our gallery here...

FCC Internet Cafe

2011-05-13T13:19:00.002+01:00

Did you know about our great little cafe based within the Children’s Centre. We offer freshly made sandwiches, baguettes, toasties, salads and jacket potatoes as well as a daily special hot meal (changes with the seasons). We also sell a selection of take away snacks and hot and cold drinks.

If you use the cafe you are also welcome to use our internet cafe computers free of charge.

To read more about the cafe, click here...

Open Access Play

2011-04-10T14:15:00.001+01:00

Did you know that children between 8-12 years old can attend the open access play scheme in Forest Children Centre?

Open Access Play Provision is a service for children ,it is intended to provide an environment where children can explore and extend their own play. The term Open Access means that children are free to come and go, as they want. It is not a childcare service and Playworkers will not be responsible for children once they leave the play scheme.

Children are able to enjoy arts and crafts/sports/interactive games as well as puzzles and board games if they wish. The sessions are very much child led, meaning the children choose the activities they wish to do rather than being chosen for them.
The sessions take place on a Monday and Wednesday- 3.30-5.00pm term time only. If the weather is fine the group meet in the Junior School Playground , otherwise they meet in the Oak Room within the Children’s Centre.

If you wish your child to join in pop in and speak to one of the playworkers, available from 3.00pm on Monday to complete a registration form and emergency contact form.

Family Information Day

2011-03-03T17:10:00.001Z

In the centre today we organised a Family Information Day. There were representatives from Family Information Services, Forest Children’s Centre – Outreach Worker, Dad’s Advisor, Crèche team, Job Centre Plus Parent Employment Advisor and Duffryn Community Link-Community Development Officer, volunteer coordinator.

Each service provided information and literature on their service and a few freebies were handed out!

The event was also a chance for the community to complete Community Consultation forms, with the help of staff and use of our internet cafe.

The event was a chance to highlight to the community all the services available in Duffryn.

We also had a visit from the Ezeee Play Bus to keep the children amused; they had fun on the slides and in the ball pits.

See photos of this event in our gallery here...

Job Club

2011-02-10T15:18:00.000Z

Come and join us for a coffee and a chat about local job opportunities.

Job Club is held every Wednesday between 9am-11am in the Oak Room in Forest Children’s Centre. We provide laptops for you to complete job searches and download application forms. We also provide a telephone and postage stamps for job applications. The Club is supported by FCC staff and Collette our Parent Employment Advisor.

We are also able to refer you for 1-1 support to Careers Wales/Want 2 Work and A4E as well as give you the latest information on training in your local area. We are a friendly bunch, happy to help so call in and see for yourself.

DIY Skills Course

2011-01-21T16:07:00.001Z

Over the last 8 weeks we have been running a DIY skills course for the community. The course was kindly jointly funded between Newport City Homes and Newport Construction Initiative.

The course covered basic plumbing, tiling, decorating, construction, woodwork skills and design aspects.

As part of the presentation on the final session all students were presented with a certificate and a tool box.

All participants thoroughly enjoyed the course and we hope to repeat the course in the future, depending on funding.

See photos of this event in our gallery here...

Interview Skills Workshops

2010-12-02T17:59:00.002Z

Today was the final session of our Interview Skills workshops, which has kindly been supported by the Newport Usk Rotarians.

During the course, participants learned how to search for jobs, complete application forms, write covering letters and CV's and acquired skills for interview (complete with a mock interview!).

FCC would like to thank Newport Usk Rotarians for all their support and after the success of this course, it is hoped it can be run again early next year.

FCC would also like to thank Heather Edwards for her support in developing the program; she is already very greatly missed...

Xmas Shopping Trip

2010-10-18T19:24:00.004+01:00

Forest Parent's Group has organised an Xmas shopping trip to The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, on Friday 3rd December.

We will depart the Centre at 9.15am and will return at 1.30pm.

Cost is £5 per seat - book with Kay at FCC reception.

Nursery Graduation 2010

2010-07-15T17:28:00.000+01:00

Today, Forest Children's Centre helped organise and run the graduation for the children in Nursery and playgroup.

FCC staff, Clare Dare (childcare coordinator from playgroup) and Heather decorated the Centre with bunting, streamers and balloons to make this a special day for the children.

Children and their parents watched the graduation in the main infants hall and then returned to the Centre for strawberries and cream, ice lollies and fruit punch.

FCC wish all the children the very best in 'big school'!

FCC also wishes Mr Stirling all the best at his new school; we will miss him lots. We look forward to welcoming back Mrs Pearce in September.

See photos of the graduation in our gallery here...

Car Boot Sale

2010-07-08T20:49:00.002+01:00

Forest Children's Centre is hosting a car boot sale on Saturday 17th July, 10.30am to 1.00pm on the Duffryn Junior School playground. The entrance fee will be 50p per family.

Anyone interested in a 'sellers pitch' should see Kay at the FCC reception desk - £3 in advance and £5 on the day. Sellers can set up from 9.30am.

Summer Fete Announced

2010-07-07T16:35:00.000+01:00

On Friday 20th August between 12p.m. and 3p.m., Forest Children's Centre will be holding a Summer Fete on the Forest Children's Centre & Duffryn Infant Playground.

At the fete will be a large inflatable slide and bouncy castle, burgers and hotdogs, ice-cream, popcorn, candy floss, face painting, raffles, hook a duck, lucky dip, penalty shoot-out, coconut shy, wet sponges, tombola, messy play, nail art, hoopla frogs, ‘play your cards right’, pick a stick, treasure hunt, bean bag target, inflatable target, spot the ball, tattoos, soft drinks and more!

See our poster advertising the event here...

Pili Pala Out of School Club

2010-06-30T20:58:00.005+01:00

Starting Monday 19th July and throughout the summer holidays (excluding Bank Holidays), Duffryn Community Link will be running a holiday club at Forest Children's Centre.

If you are interested in a place for your child or are interested in applying for a position within the club or would like more information regarding either of these, please contact Julie Wysome on 01633 816916 or email julie@duffryncomlink.org.uk

For more information, download the flyer here...

Child Safety Week 2010

2010-06-29T20:12:00.007+01:00

Child Safety Week is the Child Accident Prevention Trust’s flagship community education campaign. It aims to raise awareness of the number of accidents that seriously injure or kill children and how to prevent them.

‘Make time for safety’, is this year’s theme.

Serious accidents can cause injuries to children that take months or years to heal. The psychological damage caused to children and their families often lasts a lifetime. Yet many of these accidents can be prevented by taking just a moment:

* to move a hot drink;
* check a smoke alarm;
* lock the medicine cabinet;
* switch off the dryer;
* take your foot off the accelerator.

The on-site Health Visitors team, have held quizzes in the Centre for parents to complete. Whilst having a go, they are also learning about practical ways to keep their children safe.

Kelly from the Health Visitors team also set up a display with posters and leaflets for information.

To visit the Child Safety Week website, click here...

Watch the NHS Choices 'Preventing Accidents in the Home' video below:

Noah's Ark Farm Zoo Trip

2010-06-25T19:56:00.006+01:00

Today, Forest Children's Centre visited Noah's Ark Farm Zoo in Bristol.

Parents and children from the Crèche, Flying Start, Playgroup and Nursery attended, along with staff from all these settings and FCC - three coaches in total!!!

We arrived at the farm for opening at 10.30am and enjoyed visiting the animals, listening to animal talks and playing on the inside and outdoor play areas, including the wonderful slides!

People bought gifts to remind them of their day, ate a picnic in the sunshine (Geraint's lunch box was checked..!) and even enjoyed ice-creams in the stunning weather; not too many people got sunburn... ;)

See photos of the visit in our gallery here...

To find out more about Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, click here...

Father's Week Celebration

2010-06-19T15:34:00.004+01:00

Our Dads advisor Geraint informed FCC of Fathers’ Story Week; he was keen for all the children in FCC to be involved.

Timed to coincide with Fathers’ Day each year, Fathers’ Story Week is a fantastic time for FCC to get fathers and children working and spending time together.

A wealth of research shows that supportive home environments are key to children’s learning and development – and that children with positively involved fathers and father-figures/male carers (whether or not they live with them full-time) do better in all sorts of ways.

The staff within FCC worked together to devise a plan of activities to celebrate the event throughout the week.

Together all the childcare settings based within FCC, (Crèche, playgroup, Nursery, After School Club) hosted a range of activities designed to celebrate the male carers in the lives of our children. It may not be dad, but step dad, mums partner, uncle, big brother or granddad.

Throughout the week children :

• Brought in photos of dad/granddad etc
• Painted pictures of dad/granddad etc
• Made a photo frame with a picture of themselves inside for Father’s Day
• Made certificates for dad/granddad etc
• Dressed like dad!
• On Friday all children were asked to bring in their pennies to add to a very large picture of the Dad’s Advisor logo, which was kindly painted by David Kilbride. The children arrived in small key-worker groups and blue tacked their pennies to the picture. All proceeds will be sent to Barnardo’s.

To see photos of children adding pennies to complete the picture, visit our photo gallery here...

The finale to the week was a dad’s breakfast with their children on Saturday morning to celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday. This comprised of a full cooked breakfast, even black pudding, much to Chantelle’s dislike! (kindly all cooked by Chantelle’s Hubby) Dads also joined the children in craft activities and outside play, with a dad ‘s theme, fishing, golf, cricket. The morning was supported by Chantelle (Centre Manager), Kay (Centre Administrator), Geraint (Dad’s Advisor) and Sarah (Open Access Play Leader).

See photos of the Father's Day Breakfast in our gallery here...

Noah's Ark Trip - Coming Soon!!!

2010-06-01T16:35:00.005+01:00

FCC is planning a visit to Noah's Ark Zoo Farm in Bristol in June. This trip is available to all children and parents in Playgroup, Nursery and Flying Start.

Tickets will be £5.00 each. This is being subsidised by FCC/Flying Start and Duffryn Infants.

Call in and see Kay to book your place.

See our poster advertising the visit here...

To find out more about Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, click here...

Adult Learners Week

2010-05-21T14:27:00.006+01:00

This week, FCC participated in Adult Learners Week.

We were lucky to gain some funding from NIACE to support the events, which were supported by WEA also.

We held different events including:

• ABC/123, life skills for you and me (practical basic skills session)
• Family Arts and crafts session
• Website design taster session
• Heritage visit
• Don’t be rash with cash (financial literacy awareness - this event was organised with the generous support of the Cooperative Membership; for further information about the Cooperative Membership please click here...)

Over 100 people joined in the events over the week. This was a good way of finding out what type of courses to offer in September.

ABC/123 and Don’t be rash with cash were popular and parents evaluations stated they were keen for more, so not to disappoint we have booked these courses for September/October.

On the website design, a few of you asked the tutor about Computer maintenance so we have booked a taster session for this soon, in June.

See photos of the week in our gallery here...

St. Fagans Visit

2010-05-18T16:12:00.002+01:00

Today, FCC organised a visit to St. Fagans. This was a National Heritage visit booked as part of Adult Learners Week.

39 people attended including FCC staff, parents, members of “The Gateway Project” and members of the community that were young at heart, but not so young in age!

We were lucky to have blazing sunshine and the freshly baked bread was oh so lush. Most visitors came away with a bloomer and Welsh jams, as well as Welsh chocolates.

The castle was amazing and was a very romantic setting - shame Chantelle was with Heather instead of her hubby (lol, only joking Hev).

Well done to those pregnant mums who participated and kept up with the walking and a few hills and steps.

A great day was had by all and quite a few people would like to return later in the year - maybe nearer Christmas?

See photos of the visit in our gallery here...

Visit the St Fagan's website here...

Birthday Wishes!

2010-05-03T14:15:00.003+01:00

A happy birthday to Geraint from all the FCC team!

You don't look a single day of those 60 years...

Read about Geraint on the Dad's Officer page here...

Telephone Skills Training

2010-04-28T16:32:00.003+01:00

Representatives from Veolia Water visited the centre to deliver telephone training skills to the BEST (Building Employment Skills Today) group.

The group asked the Call centre training staff about things that really annoy you - like people phoning and not telling you why they are phoning without giving them your personal details.

The group were taught how to deal will difficult calls and what should be appropriate language (never say infortunately!)...and if a business says they are going to call you back within a time frame... they should!!

See photos of this event here...

Employability Skills Celebration

2010-04-16T23:01:00.003+01:00

Tonight, we held an awards ceremony for all the students who completed the Employability Skills course.

The celebration took place in the Duffryn Arms. All participates were awarded with certificates, a goody bag and a few joke prizes too!

Everyone enjoyed a lovely buffet and the odd drink or two. Soft drinks of course... ;)

The night was attended by Chantelle (Centre Manager), Heather (Community Ambassador), Jane (Volunteer Coordinator) and Helen, Bob, Julie, Joe and other friends and Trustees from Duffryn Community Link.

Special thanks, too, all those that supported the course, including James (Tutor), personnel from Duffryn Fire Station, Dave (Careers Wales), Ann (Complementary Therapy), Greg (NCC) and FCC staff who supported with the administration and crèche.

Well done to all those who completed the course!

See photos of the celebration night in our gallery here...

Alison Passes Driving Test!

2010-03-01T15:09:00.002Z

Today we learned that Alison, FCC's Outreach Worker, passed her driving test!

Congratulations from everybody at the Centre!!!

Adult Learners Week - Funding

2010-02-23T14:01:00.004Z

We have been successful in our funding bid towards Adult Learners week!

As part of Adult Learners Week (May 17th onwards),
we will be offering taster sessions in:

- website design
- arts and craft for the family
- Maths and English

and a free heritage visit to St Fagan’s Museum of Welsh Life.

For more information about the dates and times of these events, visit our calendar here...

BEST Fire Station Visit

2010-02-09T15:28:00.001Z

As part of the team building activities for the BEST course, the group visited the local fire station. The group learnt about the different types of equipment that the Fire service use and everyone had a try of the firemans hose. Heather was fully involved in the session, and to feel the part tried on all the firemans kit! (Unfortunately, she had to give it back!)

The group learnt about the recruitment process and information about fire safety and smoke alarms. Alison left as undefeated champion of table tennis. Well done Al!!

To see photos of the visit, click here...

Big Pit Visit

2010-02-05T12:55:00.007Z

Today, participants of the 'Better Employability Skills' course (Best 3) visited the 'Big Pit' coal mine in Blaenavon.

After arriving safely (courtesy of our wonderful minibus driver Kay who endured some 'lively' banter), the group had a fifty minute guided underground tour of the mines, incorporating all the health and safety aspects of the past and present.

The group were 'kitted out' with helmets (much to the annoyance of those who spent ages that morning styling their hair), lamps and heavy batteries.

The majority of the group had their yearly exercise by bending because of the low roof, but luckily for Heather (not being blessed with much height) she was able to walk entirely upright with room to spare for the whole tour.

See photos of the visit in our gallery here...

Visit the Big Pit website here...

Clearwell Caves Visit

2009-12-18T16:25:00.001Z

Today we visited Clearwell Caves. This visit was a joint partnership excursion for all children using FCC. Forest Children Centre staff were joined by Nursery and Sunflower Tots preschool children, as well as all of their staff members.

We were also joined by members of the Duffryn Community Link (DCL) office staff who supported the day. Duffryn Infants and DCL kindly funded the coach hire to keep costs as low as possible for parents.

After a rather noisy coach journey (the adults not the children I hasten to add, I don’t think many of the staff will get through Duffryn choir auditions!) we arrived at Clearwell Caves set in very picturesque grounds.

We walked through the winding cave corridors until we met our special visitor, SANTA; all children were allowed to choose a present from Santa’s workshop before continuing our cave tour until we met up for lunch, mmmm... yummy hot chocolate!

As we walked back to the coach park, we were all feeling very Christmasy and then to our delight it started to snow.

All participants had a lovely day and we had many little heads snoring on the return journey; it really was a magical start to the Christmas holidays.

To see photos of the trip, visit our gallery here...

To visit the Clearwell Caves website, click here...