8th July 2010
Dear Parents
Many children from preschool will be leaving us over the next few weeks ready to start school in September. We will still see some of the children who will be attending Ridgeway /St George’s school as they return to us in September having registered for the Breakfast Club/Afterschool Club. This club is now full for the next academic year.
For those parents who wish to use the school holiday club during half terms, please note that this facility is operated on a first come first served basis. If you already know that you will need childcare during the half terms etc. please ensure that you book well in advance to avoid disappointment. As the nursery is virtually full there will be limited spaces this academic year 2010/2011 for the holiday club. I should also remind you that once holiday club is booked, and you cancel before the 4 weeks’ notice period, then you will still be charged as per the normal nursery terms and conditions.
Photographs
I was very impressed with the photographer last week; I hope you are all very happy with the proofs together with the group shot for preschool children. Please ensure that you return your order by Friday 12th July. It is expected that they will take 2 weeks to process.
Staffing
· Helen will be returning towards the end of August. She will work Tuesdays and Thursdays to begin with and then return to 4 days in January 2011. Helen will return to her role as overall manager however she will be closely assisted by Claire up to January. As Helen how successfully completed her degree and Early Years Professional award, she will take on the joint role of EYP working closely with myself to improve quality and outcomes for the children in our care.
· Yasmin will be leaving us in August to start her maternity leave - she is due in September.
· Toddler Group - Lauren Binfield will be taking on the role of Toddler’s key person from the end of July. This will mean that Toddler group will consist of Jemma as Co-Coordinator, Steph, Lauren and Candice. Jackie will still assist in the group when key members of staff are absent, however her key group will be taken on by Lauren. This is to give Jackie a change of role as she will be looking after the After School Club from September as well as assisting in the main nursery during the day.
· After school club/Holiday Club - Jackie will be taking over from Lauren in September. She has been collecting the children from school over the last month with Lauren to ensure she is familiar with the schools. During the summer holidays it is anticipated that Sarah Tessier (Deputy Manager) will be taking school children out on short trips, 2-3 times a week, as she is one of the nursery drivers. During the school holidays one of the preschool staff or Jackie will be looking after the older children as Lauren takes on her new role in Toddlers.
Seaside Day - 20th July 2010.
Please remember to bring swimming attire together with a towel to nursery. There are lots of activities planned for the day including the setting up of a role play boat outside, paddling pool, building sand castles in the sand pit, making seaside pictures, making ice-lollies, eating traditional fish and chips and choc ice for lunch. Some of the groups will be discussing summer holidays in group time and it would be useful if each child could bring in 3 or 4 holiday snaps in order to discuss with the group. Lets’ hope it stays nice and warm for the day! It doesn’t matter if it rains as we will all be under the canopy to protect us from the sun!
Coming up....
Carnival Day - Tuesday 24th August - the theme this year is Notting Hill Carnival
A day to celebrate the traditional Notting Hill event held in London each year since 1950. The day will be all about music, rhythm, dance and costume.
· The music will be in the form of Soca, Calypso and Reggae to introduce the children to the varying kinds of music in the world.
· The parade will take place around the nursery garden with all nursery children taking part - we will take the musical instruments outdoors and sing and dance our way around the grounds. In order to participate please ensure that your child dresses in bright colourful clothes or fancy dress costumes.
· Food - we will theme the menu around Caribbean cuisine - introducing the children to jerk chicken, rice and peas, banana fritters and rotis. We will make fresh fruit punch (no rum!!), discuss healthy smoothies and explore some exotic fruits.
The new Government Free Entitlement
This will start on 6th September 2010 for all children who are 3 years old at the start of September. As stated in previous newsletters, this is now increased to 15hrs of free children care which can taken over the week in various models which can be discussed with Claire or myself.
Any child who is approaching 3 years old during the remainder of 2010 and into 2011 and has not yet registered for extra sessions/days in order to benefit from the free funding, will need to do so as soon as possible. At present our Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are full in terms of overall numbers until July next year! We only have limited space on Mondays and Fridays in preschool only.
Please remember that the entitlement is only given for 38 weeks of the year. This does not include half terms/school holidays.
I am proud to say that I have observed how much our preschool children have developed at nursery during the last year in confidence and independence ready for starting school. It just remains for me to wish all our children who are leaving us over the summer all the very best of luck as you embark on your new stage in your lives. I am sure that there will be many parents shedding tears of pride as they start school in September and we will certainly miss the wonderful characters we have come to know and love!
Enjoy your summer holidays!
Kind regards
Andrea Roe
Managing Director/Early Years Professional
