Friday 26 January 2018

Week Commencing 29th January


Dear Parents and Carers,

 

Nursery News:

 

Staff News

As you all know Nilem is leaving us to retire today L Hannah our new member of staff has done fantastically since joining us in November and will be joining Jamie, Leanne and Sammy in the baby room permanently from next week.

 

Up Coming Events

5th March – Mother’s week

9th March – Mother’s Day tea party

Thursday 15th March – Parents Evening

 

This weeks activities and events

 

In 2 Sports – This week at sports we continued building on our hand eye coordination from last week. The children enjoyed kicking footballs and then balancing footballs on cones. They finished off with singing and carrying out the actions to head, shoulders, knees and toes.

 

French – In this week’s French lesson we have been learning our body parts by playing a create a face game. We also sang songs and coloured in a picture.

 

Theatre bugs –

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/2bebd899029d7aa899845fa02/images/2f8a8abf-3ac5-4b73-b933-25c69d627a44.jpg

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: New Year

 

Monday – Leanne’s group will be playing and exploring with the jungle animals, building on their language skills by naming the animals and making their sounds.

Tuesday –  Jamie’s group are investigating pop up toys, building on their counting and number skills.

Wednesday – Sammy’s group are using mirrors to explore their reflections and facial expressions, supporting development of emotions.

Thursday – Jamie’s group will be singing nursery rhymes building on children’s development of movement.

Friday – Sammy’s group are looking at different books, promoting turn taking.

Jamie is off Monday, Leanne is off Wednesday and Sammy and Hannah are in all week.

 

Bluebells

 

Topic of the month: Family

 

Monday – Megan’s group will be reading “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” and discussing what happens during the adventure.

Tuesday –  Donna’s group are developing their hand and eye coordination by playing throwing games with bean bags.

Wednesday – Ruby’s group are developing their counting skills with the aid of the book ‘Five Little Ducks’ and a fun counting game with a paddling pool and rubber ducks.

Thursday –  Donna’s group will be creating their own homes for dolls to live in while talking about their own families.

Friday – Maria’s group are developing their number recognition and turn taking through playing number board games. 

Donna is off Friday, Megan is off Thursday and Friday, Ruby and Maria are in all week. Jamie is in on Friday.

 

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.

 

Becci’s activity: Becci’s group are investigating numbers this week. They will be taking on the role of builders,  building different sized and coloured structures and writing down on clip boards their findings.

 

Ines activity: Ines’s group are developing their number skills. They will be carrying out different activities with the compare bears, using them to count, organise and match them to the counting cards 

 

Almu’s activity: Almu’s group are building on their shape recognition. They will create large shape outlines on the floor and the children will be encouraged to name and jump in and out of the shapes.

 

Topic of the month: Winter wildlife

 

The letter of the week is: I

 

The children will be:

Talking about words beginning with I

Making the letter I out of playdough

Writing the letter I

Drawing pictures of ice-cream

Ice play

 

The Number of the week is: 1

 

The children will be:

Talking about the number 1

Holding up one finger

Writing the number 1

Talking about 1 sided shapes

Number puzzles

 

The shape of the week is: oval and circle

 

The children will be:

Making ovals and circles out of playdough

Looking at the differences between ovals and circles

Drawing ovals and circles

Talking about ovals and circles only having one side and no corners

Becci is off Tuesday, Almu is off Thursday and Ines is in all week.

 

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

 

Parents as partners

 

Aim of policy

 

To give clear guidance on how we value and recognise parents as the first educators and as our partners in supporting and nurturing the children.

 

Points to consider

 

Through this policy and the appointment of professional staff, we aim to make parents/carers feel comfortable in our nurseries and that the staff team are friendly, approachable and attentive to their needs and the needs of their children.

 

Childcare and Learning Group aim to achieve this by:

 

1.                Having an ‘Open door’ policy to parents/carers.

 

2.                Consulting and seeking guidance from parents/carers when planning and implementing child care practices.

 

3.                Parents/carers having the opportunity to discuss and review their children’s progress at regular developmental evenings or at any other time.

 

4.                Parents/carers will have access to their children’s records at all times.

 

5.                Informing all parents/carers of the policies, procedures and guidelines the setting operates by.

 

6.                Establishing varied and effective parents/carers methods of communication

 

7.                Ensuring that all parents/carers are provided with the opportunity to actively participate in all aspects of the setting. Where appropriate this will, include the review and implementation of policies and delivery of services to their children.

 

8.                Giving the parents regular opportunities to feedback on their child’s progress and developmental stages

 

9.                By giving detailed daily feedback to the parents

 

10.             Having a regular blog/newsletter for parents

 

11.             Having regular parents social events such as sports days, picnics and barbecues.

 

12.             Having a clear complaints policy

 

13.             Supporting the parents as well as the children through transition times.

 

The children’s learning journeys are recorded on our online system. All of our families are welcome to come into the setting and use our iPads to see their child’s profile. 

 

Kind Regards,

 

Jess, Jamie and the South Hill Team

Friday 19 January 2018

Week Commencing 22nd January


Dear Parents and Carers,

 

Nursery News:

 

Up Coming Events

5th March – Mother’s week

9th March – Mother’s Day tea party

Thursday 15th March – Parents Evening

 

This weeks activities and events

 

Forest School – This week at Forest School we found a big muddy puddle and we had lots of fun trying to empty it using buckets. We also did some splashing in it too! We then had lots of fun using different natural resources making a fairy door!  

 

In 2 Sports – This week at sports we had lots of fun building their hand eye coordination. The children where balancing a ball on a cone and they had to kick the ball off the cone. They finished off playing the Mr.Men game, manoeuvring around the garden in different ways.

 

French – In this week’s French lesson we had a little re-cap session as it was our first session back after the Christmas break! We had a story about colours, where we had to guess the colours in French. We talked about different feelings and sang a number song to recap on our French numbers!

 

Theatre bugs –

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/2bebd899029d7aa899845fa02/images/1cf537ce-8683-4dc4-9646-1b67cb96b636.jpg

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: New Year

 

Monday – Leanne’s group will be building number skills while exploring the number cake with their friends

Tuesday –  Jamie’s group are reading favourite stories supporting an interest in printed materials  

Wednesday – Jamie’s group is encouraging independence skills while getting ready for the garden

Thursday – Nilem’s group will be singing ‘Ring O Ring O Roses’ building relationships with others

Friday – Sammy’s group is using flashcards with pictures of familiar objects supporting an understanding of instructions

Jamie is off Monday, Leanne is off Wednesday, Nilem is off Monday and Tuesday and Sammy is in all week. Nilem’s last day is Friday.

 

Bluebells

 

Topic of the month: Family

 

Monday – Megan’s group will be exploring media and materials while making movements with tools in paint

Tuesday –  Donna’s group are building listening and attention skills while discovering the animal sound track

Wednesday – Maria’s group is developing an interest in books while reading ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ story

Thursday –  Ruby’s group will be constructing their own town using blocks, working together with friends building relationships

Friday – Ruby’s group is making their own salt dough creating different shapes supporting shape recognition

Donna is off Friday, Megan is off Thursday and Friday, Ruby and Maria are in all week. Jamie is in on Friday.

 

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.

 

Becci’s activity: Becci’s group are building their reading skills while choosing their own story. They will predict the beginning and ending of the story and discuss this with their peers.

 

Ines activity: This week Ines’s group will be making their own passport building their writing skills

 

Almu’s activity: Almu’s group is completing the ‘I Can Do’ sheets supporting their pencil grip. They will be looking at their letter and number skills throughout.

 

Topic of the month: Winter wildlife

 

The letter of the week is: H

 

The children will be:

Talking about words beginning with H

Setting up the easel with H stencils

Writing the letter H in the air

Drawing pictures of horses and hens

 

The Number of the week is: 20

 

The children will be:

Talking about the number 20

Clapping 20 times

Counting to number 20

Completing 20 star jumps

 

The shape of the week is: Hexagon

 

The children will be:

Making a hexagon out of playdough

Find the hexagon shape in our puzzles

Counting its sides and corners

Becci is off Tuesday, Almu is off Wednesday and Ines is in all week.

 

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

 

Heatwave guidance policy

 

Aim of policy

 

This policy gives guidance on how to manage the care and comfort of children, staff and families during a heatwave.

 

Points to consider

 

Children cannot control their body temperature as efficiently as adults during hot weather because they do not sweat as much and so can be at risk of ill health from heat.

 

If sensible precautions are taken children are unlikely to be adversely affected by hot conditions.

 

Staff should look for signs of heat stress, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

 

Heat stress

Children suffering from heat stress may seem out of character, or show signs of discomfort and irritability, including those listed for heat exhaustion. These signs will worsen with physical activity and if left untreated can lead to heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

 

Heat Exhaustion

Symptoms of heat exhaustion vary but may include one or more of the following:

       Tiredness

       Dizziness

       Headache

       Nausea

       Vomiting

       Hot, red and dry skin

       Confusion

 

Heatstroke

When the body is exposed to high temperatures, the mechanism that controls body temperature may stop working. Heatstroke can develop if heat stress or heat exhaustion is left untreated, but it can also occur suddenly and without warning.

 

Symptoms of heatstroke may include:

       High body temperature – a temperature of above 40 c is a major sign of heat stroke

       Red, hot skin and sweating that suddenly stops

       Fast heartbeat

       Fast shallow breathing

       Confusion/lack of coordination

       Fits

       Loss of consciousness

 

Actions to protect children suffering from heat illness

 

The following steps to reduce body temperature should be taken immediately:

       move the child to as cool a room as possible and encourage them to drink cool water (such as water from a cold tap)

       Cool the child as rapidly as possible, using whatever methods you can. For example, sponge or spray the child with cool (25 to 30°C) water; if available place cold packs around the neck and armpits, or wrap the child in a cool, wet sheet and assist cooling with a fan

 

       Dial 999 to request an ambulance if the person doesn't respond to the above treatment within 30 minutes.

 

Protecting children outdoors

 

During periods of high temperature the following steps should be taken:

       Children should not take part in vigorous physical activity on very hot days, such as when temperatures are in excess of 30°C

       encourage children playing outdoors to stay in the shade as much as possible

       Children should wear loose, light-coloured clothing to help keep cool and sunhats with wide brims to avoid sunburn

       Use sunscreen with a high factor, to protect skin. Please be aware that children can still burn when wearing sunblock. Using sunblock, playing in the shade and wearing a hat provide protection but may not stop all of the sun’s rays. During a heatwave it may be in the children’s best interests to stay indoors.

       Not using the garden at very hot times such as between 10 am -4pm

       provide children with plenty of water (such as water from a cold tap)

 

 

Protecting children indoors

During periods of high temperature the following steps should be taken:

       Open windows as early as possible in the morning before children arrive to allow stored heat to escape from the building

       Almost close windows when the outdoor air becomes warmer than the air indoors - this should help keep the heat out while allowing adequate ventilation

       use outdoor sun awnings if available, or close indoor blinds/curtains, but do not let them block window ventilation

       keep the use of electric lighting to a minimum

       switch off all electrical equipment, including computers, monitors and printers when not in use - equipment should not be left in ‘standby mode’ as this generates heat

       if possible, use those classrooms or other spaces which are less likely to overheat, and adjust the layout of teaching spaces to avoid direct sunlight on children

       Oscillating mechanical fans can be used to increase air movement if temperatures are below 35°C; at temperatures above 35°C fans may not prevent heat-related illness and may worsen dehydration. If using fans be sure to risk assess them and keep all blades and wires out of reach.

       encourage children to eat normally and drink plenty of cool water

 

Staff also need to look after themselves during a heat wave and should follow the same procedures as set for the children.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Jess, Jamie and the South Hill Team