We are a high quality and friendly early years care and education setting, catering for children aged 3 to 5 years, primarily through the medium of Welsh. We follow the Curriculum for Wales which emphasises learning through play and exploration. A wide range of play activities are planned and well supervised to promote progress in all areas of a child’s development as well as continuous provision offering a rich variety of free choice learning experiences. Cylch is a registered charity, run by a voluntary committee of parents, carers and school staff. Anyone is welcome to become a committee member.

Should you be interested in getting involved, please contact the Committee for further information. Our Play Leader in the morning session is Estelle Wilcocks, our Deputy Play Leader is Carys Price and our Play Assistant in the morning sessions is Sonia Tighe. Sonia is also our Play Leader in the afternoon sessions. The Person in Charge under CIW is the Play Leader, or the Deputy Play Leader where the Play Leader is absent. We have one committee members who has been nominated for the role of Responsible Individual, they are; Gareth Cornelius. Our staff members are fully qualified and continuously attend courses relating to Foundation Learning. Each staff member holds up to date certificates in child protection and paediatric first aid.

Activities: 

Child directed play with “invitations to learn” alongside, these may link to previous week’s observations, children’s choice or current celebrations. Activities may include:

  • Literacy

  • Numeracy

  • Social Development

  • Physical

Here is an example of the type of activities that will take place:

  • Play and socialise with other children

  • Free flow play, both inside and outside (unless inclement weather).

  • Playing with sand, water, dough, playhouse, jigsaw puzzles, toys, board games.

  • Planned activities such as storytime, singing, yoga, balance bikes, dancing and Busy Feet.

  • Every child is given every support to reach his/her potential

  • Snack time where children enjoy their fruit snack, as well as being offered a drink and are encouraged to be independent in pouring their own. They clear their place when finished. Each week, children will be offered different food to taste & to record their likes/dislikes.

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Hours:

Mondays, Tuesdays Wednesdays

(during term time only)

  • 9:00am - 11:30am

  • 12:30pm - 3:00pm

Location

Cylch yn yr Ysgol,

Builth Wells CP School,

Hospital Road,

Builth Wells,

Powys,

LD2 3GA.

  • Estelle

    Leader AM sessions

    After starting my working life as an ice – skating instructor, I moved into supporting children, with additional learning needs, within mainstream education before transitioning into preschools. I hold a Diploma in Preschool Practice with an extra module in Working with Children with Additional Learning Needs.

    I find it especially rewarding when supporting children and their families who maybe facing additional challenges and working in close partnership with them. Having worked in preschools on military camps and being an army wife for 24 years. I have gained a wealth of experience of working with families facing separation and stressful periods. I have completed the Incredible Beginnings training and recently wrote a good practice document on how we use these strategies in Cylch. I was very proud to have this shared, not only with Powys and Welsh Government, but was also with the founder of the course in the USA.

    Other courses that I have completed are Let’s Talk Elklan 3-5 and 5-7 years, Introducing Woodwork in Early years Education, ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences), Attachment and its Role in Children’s lives and Bach a Iach courses in dance, circus skills and Busy Feet music and movement. I was proud to support the setting in gaining recognition for being ASD friendly with ASD Wales and for being a pilot setting for the new Curriculum for Wales.

    In 2022, I was privileged to be asked to part of a team, led by Welsh Government, who were tasked to co-construct the Observation and Assessment Document to accompany the new curriculum. I enjoy watching the children looking happy and settled when they are with us, making new friends and showing independence and curiosity to engage in the experiences around them. Knowing the positive contribution that we play in supporting each child’s progress is very rewarding.

    Outside of Cylch, I am a busy mum of 3 and enjoy walking with my two dogs.

  • Sonia

    PM Playleader

    I live in Builth Wells with my partner and three children. I have been living here for 12 years now having made the move from Ireland. I began working for Cylch Meithrin in 2016 as bank staff and continued as bank staff when the setting moved to the primary school and became Cylch yn yr Ysgol in 2017. I have since become more of a permanent fixture and am now Playleader in the afternoon sessions. I thoroughly enjoy my job and I love watching the children grow and develop in character and their curiosity to learn means no two days are ever the same.

    I believe that it is highly important to listen to the children and embrace their ideas for future activities, new resources etc. I feel that this ensures the activities meet the children’s interests and strengthens the message that their contributions are valued and listened to. I enjoy the Welsh language and learning about the history and traditions of Wales.

    In my spare time I like to get out and about exploring what the welsh countryside has to offer with my two dogs and I especially like exploring castles.

  • Carys

    I grew up in Builth wells and now live a few miles away with my family.

    I started working at Cylch yn yr ysgol in 2017, when it moved up to the Primary school building. I love working with children and completed my Nneb qualification when I finished school. I also completed Health and social care nvq level 3 (young people).

    Since college I have worked in a local day nursery. I have been a special support assistant in the primary school, a Family support worker in childrens services and then to Cylch after having my two children.

    I enjoy working alongside Estelle and Sonia and any bank staff that we have.

    I love the welsh language and the fact that children in our care, get to hear it and learn some I think is amazing, and such a positive added extra for their future.

Get in touch.

email: cmllym@gmail.com