PHILLYBEARS playgroup have had a very busy time since January with all the celebrations that have been happening.

Celebrations have been the topic for this term for the children. The first one they have been learning about is Chinese New Year and they had fun trying to work out if this year was the year of the goat or the year of the sheep.

In the end they found out it all came down to the story that was told. The children loved making pancake rolls with Alyson and Teresa. They learned about the different vegetables that go in them and they enjoyed making Chinese hats and eating noodles, prawn crackers and physalis. They also learned to count to 10 in Chinese.

In February they celebrated Valentine’s Day by making cards for their loved ones (mum and dad) and eating red food. For Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) the children enjoyed watching pancakes being made and then eating them.

St David’s Day plus a few extra days were a fantastic time as the children really enjoyed dressing up in Welsh outfits or in rugby outfits. Then Steve made Welsh cakes with the children to take home for their families.

Mother’s day was all about making flower cards to give to their mothers.

The children loved World Book Day on March 5 which they made in to a week of celebrations as the children were asked to bring in their favourite book and then got to share it with all the other children at story time. This encouraged them to have a love of books and to sit still and listen to some stories.

To help celebrate Red Nose Day on March 13 all the children came to playgroup wearing red and brought a teddy with them, they also made red nose cakes to take home with them.

St Patrick day on March 17 was all about the colour green so the children did green colourings and had green fruit for snack time and came to playgroup wearing green.

Finishing the term was Easter where they made Easter cards and Easter baskets. Then they made Easter nests with Alyson and Steve.

During all these celebrations PhillyBears Playgroup has had a few things to celebrate itself. In March CSSIW approved them for being able to look after 18 month old children. This adds to their registration for children from 2-5 years old and for school pick up and drop off at local schools.

When PhillyBear’s start back after the Easter holidays they are looking forward to the outside area being finished. So many people have been working so hard on the hall and the changes to the outside have been amazing in just over two years since PhillyBear’s have opened.

The children and the staff will be very excited to start using the outside area when it is finished.

PhillyBear’s Playgroup is held at 5th Barry Sea Scout Hall in Everard Street, Monday to Friday between 9.15am to 12.15pm, and caters for children aged 18 months to five years old and have a big indoor area. They have spaces available so if you would like more information or would like to come and have a look around please give Philippa a call on 07757665363. PhillyBear’s Playgroup is also on Facebook.