Thursday 28 November 2013

week commencing 2nd December


Dear Parents

 

Illness

We have had several cases of hand foot and mouth. There is also a mystery virus where the children have temperatures and are generally under the weather. We would like to remind you that we can only give the children prescribed medication and your child will need to be away from nursery for 24 hours after starting a course of antibiotics.

It is hard when children are ill as we understand that you are all juggling work and home commitments, however so that germs do not spread in the nursery we ask that you keep your child at home if they are not well.

 

Christmas party, Next Friday!

Christmas is getting close! Our children’s Christmas party is Friday 6th December from 3.30- 5pm.

If your child is not in on this day they are welcome to come along with an adult. Siblings are also welcome, however please can you provide a present that Father Christmas will give to them.

Father Christmas will be bringing gifts for all of the Nursery children and he will be arriving at 4.30 to see the Bluebells and Sunflowers and will pop in to see the Babies at about 4.50.

We will be playing party games and having a party tea too! Hope to see you all there.

 

Christmas nativity

The Nativity play is Thursday 12th December. The morning performance is at 9.30. The afternoon performance is at 4.15. We will not be allowing parents in before 9.15 or 4pm as we are using the stage area as a dressing room!

Forms asking for permission for other parents to video and photograph the children are going around. However we ask that you do not put photos of other people’s children onto the internet on sites such as facebook.

Because we want all our parents to get the chance to see the performance, it is going to be very busy at both performances. If possible please can you leave any coats and bags at home or in the car as we are not going to have any spare room!

The seating will be first come first served, with seating on the floor, on chairs and standing room too. You will certainly get to know the other parents as you will all be very close on the day!!!!!!! Also you will only be allowed to see the show you have booked as both performances are now full.

If any of you are having trouble with costumes just let us know. The babies are stars or angels, the Bluebells are the village people and preschool have different roles – ask Jess if you have forgotten!

If your child is not in on a Thursday they only need to attend the show you are seeing.

 

Bring your singing voices and Christmas cheer!

 

Christmas closing

We will be open as normal on Monday 23rd December and we will be open Christmas Eve but aim to close at 3pm, we do ask you kindly if at all possible the children could be picked up by 3pm as it is the one day of the year we try to get the staff home early.

We will be open as normal on Thursday 2nd January and term starts on 6th January for all of our term time only children.

 

Staff training

Sophie is on the last day of her four day developing practice course on Thursday.

Chloe is attending physical development training on Wednesday

 

This week’s activities

Each key person will be responsible for designing an activity based on their key children’s needs; however, all children who are in on that day will have the opportunity to access the activity too.

If the key person is on holiday or off, another staff member will be able to lead the activity in their place so that the children do not miss out.

For more information on the Early Years Foundation stage, the guidance we use to support our planning and practice, visit:


 

Buttercups

Monday – Charlotte’s group will be exploring treasure baskets

Tuesday – Julia’s group is playing with cornflour and making marks in the gloop

Wednesday – Magda’s group are squeezing balloons (could be noisy) as they learn about shapes

Thursday – Nilem’s group are reading books in small groups.

Friday – Becci will be helping the children work together to complete puzzles

Charlotte is off Tuesday, Julia is off Monday, Magda is off Tuesday, Nilem is off Friday and Becci is in all week

 

Bluebells

Monday – Leanne’s group are counting with linking elephants

Tuesday – Donna’s group is reading noisy stories such as “Roar” and making the sounds from the book

Wednesday – Donna’s group will be free painting as they explore colour

Thursday – Donna’s group is using the new blocks and vehicles

Friday- Sophie’s group will be using large balls in the garden

Donna is off Thursday and Friday, Leanne is off Wednesday, Sophie is off Monday and Rose is in all week

 

Sunflowers

Books of the fortnight are:

2nd -9th December – One, Two, That’s My Shoe by Alison Murray

16th – 23rd December – Spotty Dotty Got Chickenpox  By Miriam Moss and Joanna Mockler

Monday – Jess’s group are making pyramids as they build physical skills

Tuesday – Chloe’s group is making and eating cheese fondue – retro!

Wednesday – Chloe’s group will be making paper chains as they develop an understanding of shape

Thursday – Jess’s group are creating gingerbread people and using materials such as glitter and sequins to decorate them

Friday – Chloe’s group will be developing handwriting skills as they practice writing their names.

Jess is off Tuesday, Chloe is off Thursday and Alison works 9.30-2.30 Monday to Thursday term time.

Friday 22 November 2013

week commencing 25th November


Dear Parents

 

Direct Debits

For those of you who have signed up to the Direct Debit system, payments will start from December. Please make sure any standing orders are cancelled, families with regular voucher payments will have these deducted from the invoice total before the payment is taken.

 

Baby Expo

For those of you at a loose end this weekend, why not pop along to the baby expo at Surrey Sports Park. We have a stand there and would love you to pop by.

You can find details of the show at:


 

Christmas Parties

Christmas is getting close! Our children’s Christmas party is Friday 6th December from 3.30- 5pm.

If your child is not in on this day they are welcome to come along with an adult. Siblings are also welcome, however please can you provide a present that Father Christmas will give to them.

Father Christmas will be bringing gifts for all of the Nursery children and he will be arriving at 4.30 to see the Bluebells and Sunflowers and will pop in to see the Babies at about 4.50.

We will be playing party games and having a party tea too! Hope to see you all there.

 

This week’s activities

Each key person will be responsible for designing an activity based on their key children’s needs; however, all children who are in on that day will have the opportunity to access the activity too.

If the key person is on holiday or off, another staff member will be able to lead the activity in their place so that the children do not miss out.

For more information on the Early Years Foundation stage, the guidance we use to support our planning and practice, visit:


 

Buttercups

Monday – Becci will be developing the children’s communication as they play with puppets and sing animal songs.

Tuesday – Charlotte’s group are baking star biscuits to celebrate Hanukkah

Wednesday – Julia’s group is going to be developing a sense of self as they explore mirrors

Thursday – Nilem’s group will be understanding textures as they play with the treasure baskets

Friday – Magda’s group is making candle holders with salt dough for Hanukkah

Charlotte is off Friday, Nilem is off Friday, Magda is off Tuesday, Julia and Becci are in all week

 

Bluebells

Monday – Leanne’s group are playing together to find objects hidden in the sandpit

Tuesday – Sophie’s group  will be making potato cakes to celebrate Hanukkah

Wednesday – Donna’s group is reading the story “Eight Candles” to celebrate Hanukkah

Thursday – Rose will be reading favourite stories with the children

Friday – Donna’s group is making salt dough decorations

Donna is off Thursday and Friday, Leanne is off Wednesday, Sophie is off Monday and Rose is in all week

 

Sunflowers

Books of the fortnight are:

18th – 25th November – The Lion’s Share by Matthew McElligott

2nd -9th December – One, Two, That’s My Shoe by Alison Murray

16th – 23rd December – Spotty Dotty Got Chickenpox  By Miriam Moss and Joanna Mockler

Monday – Chloe’s group will be cutting out and making stars as they learn about shapes

Tuesday – Chloe’s group are making star biscuits to celebrate Hanukkah

Wednesday – Jess’s group are learning about the world as they play games with a dreidel

Thursday – All of the children will be developing writing skills as they make Hanukkah cards

Friday – Jess’s group will be developing communication skills as they play the lunch box game together.

Jess is off Tuesday, Chloe is off Monday and Alison does 9.30-2.30 Monday to Thursday
 
Have a great weekend
Caroline and the South Hill Team

Friday 15 November 2013

week commencing 18th November


Dear Parents

 

Staff news

We are delighted that Julia has become a permanent member of the team! Julia has been working as cover staff for a while and we are really pleased that she will be joining us full time. As we expect Emma to be off for a while Julia will be taking over Emma’s role as Room Senior as well as taking over Emma’s key children. If you have any questions about this please see Caroline or Charlotte.

We have started a collection to raise money for a wig for Holly. If you would like to donate any money please see Caroline.

 

Children in Need

Congratulations to the winner of our through the keyhole game: Jackie Pocock!

The winner was drawn today by one of our parents.

We have managed to raise £110.00 For Children In Need, which is great!

 

Nursery Policies

To all of those parents who have kindly reviewed our policies please can we have your feedback now for us to use when we update the policies next week.

 

Last week of the colouring competition!

This is the last week to return your child’s completed picture; then we must all make sure we pop into Hamptons Estate agents and vote for the Castle Nursery pictures.

 

This week’s activities

Each key person will be responsible for designing an activity based on their key children’s needs; however, all children who are in on that day will have the opportunity to access the activity too.

If the key person is on holiday or off, another staff member will be able to lead the activity in their place so that the children do not miss out.

For more information on the Early Years Foundation stage, the guidance we use to support our planning and practice, visit:


 

Buttercups

Monday – Becci will be getting the children moving as they dance with ribbons and streamers

Tuesday – Nilem’s group will be developing physical skills as they paint pictures

Wednesday – Magda’s group is going to be playing feeling games as they explore the treasure basket

Thursday – Charlotte’s group are reading stories together in the cosy area.

Friday – Magda’s group is singing number songs

Charlotte is off Friday, Magda is off Tuesday, Nilem is off Friday and Becci and Julia are in all week

 

Bluebells

Monday – Donna’s group will be developing gross motor skills as they kick balls

Tuesday – Leanne’s group are getting messy as they play with cornflour

Wednesday – Sophie’s group will be using the song sacks at circle time

Thursday – Donna’s group is counting to 10 using the compare bears.

Friday – Leanne’s group are exploring the toy sea creatures in the water tray.

Donna is off Friday, Sophie is off Monday, Leanne is off Wednesday and Rose is in all week

 

Sunflowers

Books of the fortnight are:

18th – 25th November – The Lion’s Share by Matthew McElligott

2nd -9th December – One, Two, That’s My Shoe by Alison Murray

16th – 23rd December – Spotty Dotty Got Chickenpox  By Miriam Moss and Joanna Mockler

Monday – Jess’s group is  making jewel patterns with ice!

Tuesday – Chloe’s group will be using the emotion dolls to talk about feelings

Wednesday – Jess’s group are using their hands to paint with

Thursday – Chloe’s group will be making their own burgers for tea!

Friday – Chloe’s group is developing ICT skills as they play on the computer

Jess is off Tuesday, Chloe is off Thursday and Alison does 9.30-2.30 Monday to Thursday

Friday 8 November 2013

week commencing 11th November


Dear Parents

 

One week until ………

 

·         We draw the winner of the “through the key hole” competition. So there is still time to get your entry in!

 

·         We ask for all the feedback on our policies. If you would like to read through the policies please let me know and I can email you a copy.

 

And then there was light!

Our electrician has fixed the sensor light by the buggy sheds and has put a new light switch on the outside of the buggy shed. Hopefully it will make things easier for all of you using the buggy sheds in the dark. Although recognising your buggy, in the dark, from a selection of very similar buggies is a skill!

 

Colouring competition.

There is still time to get your entry in for the colouring competition. We will be collecting entries in by 22nd November.

 

Staff news

Donna is on a Positive Behaviour training course on Monday. Sophie starts the first of a four day training course on Developing Good Practice on Thursday.

Whilst Emma is away the other staff will be covering Emma’s key group, so that no one misses out.

 

Policy of the week

This is on hold at the moment whilst we review and then update our policies.

 

Wow vouchers

 
Please help your child’s key person by returning these Wow vouchers, completed with things your child has been up to outside of Nursery. Anyone can complete them so get Grannies and Granddads’ involved too. Understanding what your child is like both in and out of Nursery is vital for us to be able to support them fully, so please take full advantage of using the “Wow vouchers” to tell us how great your child is.

 

 

This week’s activities

Each key person will be responsible for designing an activity based on their key children’s needs; however, all children who are in on that day will have the opportunity to access the activity too.

If the key person is on holiday or off, another staff member will be able to lead the activity in their place so that the children do not miss out.

For more information on the Early Years Foundation stage, the guidance we use to support our planning and practice, visit:


 

Buttercups

Whilst Emma is away the other staff will be covering Emma’s key group so that no one misses out.

Monday – Becci will be setting up a wet pasta activity so that the children can explore texture.

Tuesday – Charlotte will be supporting Emma’s group to develop physical skills as they use the tent and tunnel.

Wednesday – Nilem’s group are developing their language skills and vocabulary as they play with the toy animals.

Thursday – Charlotte’s group is investigating wet sand.

Friday – Magda’s group will be using words like “lots” and “all gone” to build an understanding of quantity.

Charlotte is off Friday, Magda is off Tuesday, Nilem is off Friday and Becci is in all week

 

Bluebells

Monday – Rose is supporting the children as they count the blocks as they stack them.

Tuesday – Donna’s key group is looking at and learning about animals, as they play with toy animals and read animal books.

Wednesday – Sophie’s group will be building their imaginations as they play with cardboard boxes and dressing up clothes.

Thursday – Donna’s group are developing social skills as they roll balls to each other.

Friday – Leanne’s group is enjoying books together.

Donna is off Monday, Leanne is off Wednesday, Sophie is off Monday and Rose is in all week

 

Sunflowers

Books of the fortnight are:

4th – 11th November – Weather by First Hand Science

18th – 25th November – The Lion’s Share by Matthew McElligott

2nd -9th December – One, Two, That’s My Shoe by Alison Murray

16th – 23rd December – Spotty Dotty Got Chickenpox  By Miriam Moss and Joanna Mockler

Monday – Chloe’s group is practising counting as they play, what’s the time Mr Wolf.

Tuesday – Chloe’s group will be developing social skills and imagination as they play the Three Little Pigs in the role play area.

Wednesday – Alison is working with the children as they make puppets.

Thursday – Jess’s group will be experimenting as they make ice gloves.

Friday – Jess’s group is reading the book of the fortnight together.

Jess is off Tuesday, Chloe is off Thursday and Alison does 9.30-2.30 Monday to Thursday.
 
Have a great weekend
Caroline and the South Hill Team