A fire broke out at a primary school just hours after some pupils had finished their first day back after it was closed during lockdown.
Firefighters were called to Ringland Primary School on Dunstable Road shortly after 8pm on Wednesday after a fire broke out in the school's playground.
The fire destroyed a newly built Wendy house which had been built by members of staff.
Some pupils had just returned to school as children aged between three and seven were allowed back in schools in Wales after staying at home during lockdown.
Teaching assistant Ben Bennett said: "It was their first day back, and then the fire happened. They're just coming into the world, they're nursery and reception, and then the first thing they see is fire and destruction and people destroying things. What sort of impact does that have on their young, impressionable minds going forward?"
Mr Bennett, who also runs construction workshops for pupils, said that the following day children asked him "Where's the playhouse gone?"
The playhouse destroyed in the fire was built by members of staff so that pupils "could have some enjoyment and nice areas" at school.
"Some of us put our own time in and we don't get anything for it - we don't want anything for it," he said.
"It's just sad when this happens."
Mr Bennett, 40, said the school has previously had problems with vandalism resulting in the destruction of equipment used by the children in the play area.
"It's just sad that we can't have anything nice for the children without it being vandalised or damaged," he said.
He recalled that a previous incident of vandalism at the school had occurred the day before children returned to the classroom in September last year when the fence around the school was damaged.
A fundraiser set up by local residents has now raised £885 towards the cost of replacing the equipment.
A spokesperson for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: "At approximately 8.15pm on February 24, 2021, crews attended a small fire on Dunstable Road, Ringland.
"A crew from Maindee attended the scene and extinguished the fire.
"A stop message was received at approximately 8:45pm"
Gwent Police said it is investigating the fire.
A spokesperson said: "We received a call from the Fire Service at 8.18pm February 24 reporting that some playground equipment was on fire in the grounds of Ringland Primary School.
"Officers are currently undertaking enquiries to establish the circumstances."
