Castell

The Club is based in Caerphilly OAP Hall and has the use of the hall and the outdoor space.

The club operates for boys and girls of Clwb Y Ddraig aged 3-12 years as stated in the admissions policy. The Club caters for 30 children, in line with our Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) registration. It is anticipated the club will cater for 15 children under the age of 8 and 15 children over the age of 8.

The Club offers a child centred environment meeting the social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional needs of children and recognising the individual needs of each child who attends.

A wide variety of activities are offered. Short, medium and long term planning will be in place, whilst still offering opportunities for free play. Children will be encouraged to participate in the planning and evaluation of activities and ideas for equipment when it is being purchased.

Snacks and drinks are available during the session. All food and drinks offered are in line with our healthy eating policy, and meet the dietary needs and preferences of children as indicated on the child’s registration form.

Our Facebook Page

Here's a link to our Facebook page for you to see what activities our Dragons get up too and to keep up to date with all the news and information.

https://www.facebook.com/ClwbYDdraig

Opening Hours

The breakfast club opens between 7.30 am and 9.00 am every day during school term-time.
The afterschool club opens between 3.00 pm and 6 pm every day during school term-time.
The holiday club opens between 8.00 am and 5.30 pm during school holidays.

Meet the Team @Castell

Meet Shaunna

I have worked and volunteered with children since I was 16years old and have worked with children all different ages and abilities. During my spare time I love to bake cakes and cookies. I also like to crochet and colour. I have a daughter and we have lots of fun doing messy and sensory play. My favourite play memory from childhood is playing up the mountain with friends and getting muddy. To me play means development; psychologically, physically and biologically. Testing personal boundaries and challenge oneself. I love getting stuck into activities with the children and listening to their ideas.

Meet Yazmin

I volunteered in a playwork setting for 3 years before completing my playwork qualification, I have also worked with the council delivering play sessions to children in special needs schools. In my spare time I enjoy reading and scrapbooking. I am the oldest of three children and love spending time with my younger brother and sister. My favourite memory from childhood is during the summer holiday's we used to spend the day at my nanny's house when my mum and dad was in work and we had push along cars me and my nanny used to push the others along around her house pretending we where driving to different places. Play to me is that you get to use your imagination and create amazing things. I absolutely love my job it is so rewarding and we also still get to be a big kid as it’s apart of our job.

Meet Cariad

Alongside Clwb y ddraig I am a teaching assistant. I have worked with children from newborn age to 17 years of age and in a variety of settings from nursery’s, primary schools to children’s support services. I love spending time with my friends and family especially going to music events with my friends such as concerts and festivals. I live at home with my mam, my brother and my two dogs. I love spending time with my family especially going to the theatre with my mam which is something we’ve done since I was young. My favourite memory of play from my childhood would be going to the beach with my mam and brother. Me and my brother always liked to build sand castles or see who could dig the deepest sand hole. A lot of my play memories are at the beach spent with my family. Play gives children the chance to freely explore their imagination and creativity through play in a safe environment. Play allows children to be their own boss of play and be in control of the type of play. I love that I am able to support children during play and get to have an insight in to their imagination. I love that play enables children to have fun alongside develop their physical, social and emotional skills, and as a play worker it is so rewarding to see these skills develop as well seeing the children have fun and enjoy themselves.

Meet Sabrina

I have worked with children for a number of years, including children entertainment, activity instructing, and now enjoying my roles as a Playworker and as a Children's Sports Coach. I love to take care of my health by always eating healthy and staying active. I enjoy playing badminton, attending fitness classes and I make sure to walk everyday no matter what the weather! My walking record is 250 miles in just under 2 months. I'm also a BIG nature lover who loves tending to my garden and feeding the birds and squirrels who come to visit. Being half Italian I come from a very close family, being the eldest of 3, with one brother and one sister. We love our family get togethers and just enjoying each others company. My summer holiday visits to Italy to see my Grandparents are my favourite play memory. We always had a lot of fun down the beach, big family get togethers and just simply enjoying each others company with lots of food! Play is a way for children to know how they're feeling, and allow them to express themselves. It can make them feel free by taking them away to different worlds and allowing them to make new memories everyday. Working with children brings me so much joy and fulfilment, but not just because of their boundless energy and curiosity, but just seeing them leave at the end of the day with big smiles on their faces is very rewarding. They are very accepting, and have taught me not just the importance of patience and empathy, but the importance of being present and mindful in the moment.

Meet Jess

I have worked in the playwork for 19 months, but have experience within the childcare and youth work. In my spare time, I love spending time with my Friends and family, watching programmes, series and films. These include rugby, Vampire Diaries, Greys Anatomy and Harry Potter. I also love planning trips. My Favourite play memory from my childhood was when my cousin and I would make our own version of trapped, which we would play every Sunday. Play is a fun and easy way to support children's learning and development. It supports independence but also team work. I love giving the children an opportunity to be independent and explore their creativity and imagination.

Meet Summer

I am new to working with children and am really enjoying it. In my spare time I like painting, drawing, baking and playing with my cats. I live at home with my mam, two siblings and my three cats. My favourite memory from childhood is playing hide and seek in the woods and sliding down the mud banks. Play means to me using all the fun opportunities to learn and develop skills. What I love about my job is playing imagination games with the children and seeing them have so much fun while learning.