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Childcare
Play & Learn, side-by-side
We are pleased to be able to offer this service, a new and valuable feature of the school, through our partnership between Bryncoch CiW Primary School and Pals Childcare, providing childcare, wraparound and after-school provision, which brings real benefits for families and children.
At PALS Childcare Bryncoch, we believe that well-being is paramount, for both our children and ourselves. It is our goal to create a calm, considered, home-from-home environment – one in which your children feel safe, respected and valued. We want them to come to us feeling like they are ‘home’, whether that’s to chill out in our cosy area; express their crafty side; grab a snack/drink at the table; mop up spills in the sensory play; or, dance, splash, construct and role play their way around the room!
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PALS Childcare Bryncoch is now open to provide quality and affordable childcare for 2-11 year olds (inclusive) in and around the local area. We are registered by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) to care for a maximum of 20 children at any one time. We offer funded childcare places via both Flying Start (for 2 year olds) and the Childcare Offer for Wales (for 3 and 4 year olds). A limited number of private spaces are also available.
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Initially (May-July 2026), we will be opening Monday-Friday from 11:30-3:30 during term-time and for a full days out of term. This will gradually expand to include late/afterschool provision for ages 3-11 inclusive until 5:30/6pm (depending on need), AND a morning session, including an early breakfast if there is demand. Please note, we are closed on Bank Holidays; the 2-week NPT Winter Term Holiday break; and, for an additional 2 weeks in the summer*. (*Children requiring care during the 2-week summer closure are welcome to join us at our sister site in Neath at the Gnoll Primary School instead.)
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Please drop by during our Open Day on Saturday, 6 June 2026 between 10am-12noon. We will be available for a chat and to show you around. Hope to see you there!
Meet The Team
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My accent isn’t quite what it used to be and – I dare say – even sometimes now has a Welsh lilt to it. Whilst at university, I discovered a passion for working with international students and their families and spent nearly 15 years working and travelling the world. I opened PALS Daycare in the Gnoll Primary School in 2012 and it has been both an honour and a privilege to support the school, the staff, its children and families over all these years. I very much look forward to this new challenge in Bryncoch CiW Primary School, working in partnership with Marc, the School Governors, the PTA and all the staff team to provide out-of-school childcare and support.
My husband is from North Wales and we have 3 children, aged between 15-22. I don’t seem to have much spare time at the moment, but when I do, I enjoy the theatre/musicals, reading (nothing too scary), watching my son ice skate at the Vindico Arena in Cardiff Bay and long solo drives to visit my daughters, one in Cambridge and one in Edinburgh. Oh, and I’m also a devoted ice hockey fan – Go Devils! IYKYK
I began working as a Teaching Assistant over 15 years ago in a local primary school. When the opportunity arose to work with PALS in their Gnoll Primary setting, I was both frightened and excited. But it’s been – hands down – the best thing to ever happen! I earned my Level 5 qualification in Children’s Care, Learning and Development and spent the past 4 years as a deputy manager. I’m excited to take on this new challenge managing the PALS Childcare setting in Bryncoch CiW Primary School and am looking forward to getting to know all the children, from the those using our nursery wraparound services to the afterschool club.
In my spare time, I am a keen gardener, enjoy walking in the countryside and love to visit with my son who is currently working on his Masters Degree in Finance & Accounting over in beautiful Southampton. You must also excuse me if I sound a little weary in the mornings, but it is all down to my new-ish kitten, Tinkerbell. I absolutely adore him, but he is driving me to distraction with his energy levels – from climbing curtains (literally) to plunging himself into sinks full of water. It’s like having a toddler with claws!
I love my work – what other job in the whole world allows you to splash, crash, paint, build, chase, bounce, dance, sing, throw, jump, run, crawl, create, pretend, laugh and PLAY?! I would spend all day outside if I could, and I live by the mantra that: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!” One day, it would be my dream – and absolute pleasure – to provide forest school opportunities to children and their families.
I earned my Level 4 Advanced Practice childcare qualification over a year ago and am excited to continue on my own learning journey with PALS, including Signalong; Schema training; Hannen Speech, Language and Communication; Early Years Brain Development; Anti-racist Practice; Children’s Rights Training; and, even exploring the new Curriculum for Wales for Non-Maintained Settings.
My family, friends and dog, Stanley, are all incredibly important to me, and I enjoy spending time with them walking, talking and travelling around the Welsh countryside. In my spare time, I love to read. In particular, I adore reading children’s books and can just about recite my current 3 favourites – ‘Elmer’, ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea’ and ‘Commotion in the Ocean’ – off by heart!
