Friday 8 December 2017

Week Commencing 11th December


Dear Parents and Carers,

 

Nursery News:

 

Christmas Party

The Christmas party is this afternoon J  For children who are not normally at nursery on Fridays, parents are very welcome to bring them in, however you will need to stay with them. The parties starts from 3.00. Father Christmas will be with us from 3.00 – 4.00. He will be visiting babies at 3.00, Bluebells at 3.15 and Pre-school at 3.35. We will also be having party games and a party tea. Due to our Safeguarding policies, please can we ask you not to take any photos or videos on phones or cameras within the nursery. I will take photos and put them onto the ILD’s and print any off you would like to keep. If you have any questions please just let me know.

 

Nativity and Carol Service

A reminder Buttercups and Bluebells two carol services are on Monday (11th) at 3.00 and 4.30.

The 4.30 performance is still full, however there are a few spaces left on the 3.00 performance so if you would like extra tickets please let Sammy know. This will be on a first come first served basis and only for the earlier performance.

The Sunflowers nativities are at 9.45 and 4.15.

There are 4 tickets left on the 4.15 performance so if anyone missed out on this time and would like it please let Becci know. Otherwise on a first come first serve basis there will be a few extra tickets available for both performances. However, parent tickets are prioritised for the 4.15 performance. Grandparents are welcome to the 9.45 performance but the places are limited.

If you have any questions please let Becci know.

 

30 hours Funding

1.     A reminder that HMRC have advised that parents wanting their children to start the 30 hours funded childcare scheme in January should register by early December.

This is to avoid any peaks taking place similar to August when the website and helpline were both experiencing problems due to high demand.

2.     Parents must reconfirm their eligibility every three months, so those who are already claiming the 30 hours and nearing their deadline need to also act as soon as possible, otherwise you may lose your eligibility.

 

Up Coming Events

Friday 8th December – Christmas party

Monday 11th December – Carol service

Tuesday 12th December – Nativity play

Thursday 14th December – Pre-Schools G Live trip

 

This weeks activities and events:

 

Forest School – This week at Forest school, we warmed up milk in the outdoor kettle and enjoyed yummy hot chocolate for snack. We then discovered some sand banks at the Chantries and had lots of fun exploring them and climbing up and down them.

 

In 2 Sports – This week at sports the children went on a treasure hunt where they had to find treasure (different coloured objects) from around the garden.

 

French – In French this week the children played ‘Duck Duck Goose’ in French. They then practiced their feelings and coloured in a picture talking about colours.

 

Next weeks 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, please visit:


 

This week’s planned activities are also on the ILD’S.

 

Buttercups

 

Topic of the month: Christmas

 

Monday – Leanne’s group will be building small towers supporting number awareness

Tuesday –  Montse’s group is celebrating Christmas gaining a knowledge of Christmas traditions while singing songs

Wednesday – Sammy’s group are singing ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It’ exploring different emotions

Thursday – Nilem’s group will be exploring shape and size while playing with the shape sorters

Friday – Leanne’s group is discovering the train track with friends observing different people and sounds

Leanne is off Wednesday, Nilem is off Tuesday and Thursday, Montse and Sammy are in all week. Jamie is in Thursday.  

 

Bluebells

 

Topic of the month: Christmas

 

Monday – Donna’s group are building an interest in writing while making and talking about different marks they can make using tools

Tuesday –  Megan’s group is exploring the ‘People who help us’ stories building an interest in different occupations

Wednesday – Maria’s group will be finding hidden treasure in the garden manoeuvring around the garden in different ways

Thursday –  Megan’s group are making Christmas shortbread biscuits and will be encouraged to follow instructions throughout

Friday – Ruby’s group is developing their imaginative play while building their own shop in the role play area with their friends

Donna is off Friday, Megan is off Monday and Friday, Maria and Ruby are in all week.

 

 

Sunflowers

 

In the Sunflower room each Key Person plans and implements their own Key Group activity, but the room works on the same area and aspect to ensure the activity is individual to each Key Group and therefore meets the specific Key Group’s individual needs.

This will work alongside their weekly planned activity list which you can see in the room and on the ILD’S.

 

The Sunflowers will be making a Christmas gift for their family this week. All the children will be making their own cooking treat to take home. They will be supported to build their independence and self-care skills while washing their hands and setting up for the activity. They will follow and respond to instructions and help weigh out the different ingredients throughout. 

 

Topic of the month: Christmas

 

The letter of the week is: C

 

The children will be:

Talking about words beginning with C

Setting up the easel with C stencils

Singing Christmas carols

Zipping up our own coats

Writing the letter C in the air

 

The Number of the week is: 15

 

The children will be:

Talking about the number 15 at circle time

Writing the number 15 in the sand

Clapping 15 times

Counting to number 15

 

The shape of the week is: Star

 

The children will be:

Counting how many sides a star has

Making stars for the nativity scene

Spotting stars around the room

Becci is off Wednesday, Almu is off Monday and Ines is on holiday Monday and Tuesday.

 

Interactive Learning Diary

Don’t forget to check out all the exciting things your child has done this week, on their ILD profile.

We aim to put at least one observation up per week.

Follow the link below: www.interactivelearningdiary.co.uk

 

Facebook

Castle Nursery and Preschool Facebook page to promotes the company, engages with parents and team members across our nurseries. If you would be interested in following this page, here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/Castle-Nursery-and-Preschool-790319011138020/. We will be regularly adding events and photos to the page.

 

Image result for children foodMenus

There are no planned changes to this week’s menu.

See attached document for the weekly menu. 

If you would like to see a copy of our allergens menu at any time please ask!

 

Useful websites

Here are the links for the Surrey Family Information Service, Free Early Education (the 15 hours funding), Free Early Education for Two year olds and Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP).

 



 

Our Policy of the Week

 

Outings policy

 

Aim of policy

 

To give clear guidance when taking the children out of the setting on outings.

 

Childcare and Learning Group encourages appropriate outings for all children.  Regular walks and visits within the local community all contribute to a child’s learning.

 

Points to consider

 

For all outings on foot or by vehicle the following procedures must be followed:

 

     Written permission must be obtained at the time of registration of the child.  Authorisation must be checked prior to the outing.

 

     A risk assessment must be done prior to the outing – taking into account hazards such as transportation, live animals and zoos, illness etc.

 

     Clear details of destination, route and expected times for arrival and departure should be left at the setting. 

 

     Staffing ratios must be maintained at: 2-3 years maximum 10 children ratio 1:2. 3-5 years maximum 30 children ratio 1:4. 5 year plus, maximum 30 children ratio 1:8. Ratios stated are the maximum limits, smaller ratios maybe required. The Manager will decide on outings ratios on an individual basis after doing a risk assessment.

 

     A first aider must be present and a suitable first aid box must be taken. Any treatments for allergies or medical conditions must be taken in a clearly labelled container with medicine administration form.

 

     The senior person in charge must be aware of the lost/missing child policy and be confident to take appropriate action if needed.

 

·      Allergy information and any other relevant details on each child to be taken.

 

     A member of staff must take a mobile phone with them in case of emergency.

 

     The children must be counted before setting off (on the coach/mini bus if used) and counting must be ongoing at regular intervals throughout the outing. If the group is broken up into sub-groups a designated person in charge must be assigned and that person is responsible for counting the children at regular intervals.

 

·      A photo of the children should be taken before the outing so that should a child get lost we are able to give police a recent picture and a detailed description on what the child was wearing.

 

     A label must be attached to all children showing the name of the setting and telephone number of the setting. Additionally it should also show the mobile telephone number of one of the staff members on the outing. This label must be displayed on the child in a manner which is visible and is not easily removed by the child.

 

     Toilet facilities must be provided for the children at regular intervals.

 

     Food and drinks must be provided at similar times to those in the setting and additional drinks should be offered if the weather is warm or if energetic exercise is part of the day.

 

     Meeting points must be pre-designated and times arranged when all the party should assemble. These must be strictly adhered to.

 

     Transport must be fully insured; drivers' details satisfactory and all seats must have 3 point safety harnesses or equivalent. The maximum seat capacity of the vehicle must not be exceeded.

 

     Spare clothing should be brought.

 

At the conclusion of each outing the staff member in charge will complete a review of the outing noting the following:

 

o   Any particular problems with transport (e.g. coach arriving late, no seat belts etc.).

o   Any particular problems with the venue (e.g. nowhere to shelter during rain).

o   Any particular problems with specific children (illness, distress, etc.).

o   Educational benefits of the visit.

o   Comments from parents and recommendations for future visits.

 

Prior to each new outing the Senior Practitioner/Practitioner in charge of the outing will refer back to the reviews and take accounts of comments when preparing for the next outing.

 

 

Kind Regards,

 

Jess, Jamie and the South Hill Team

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