Week commencing 3rd December

Dear Parents

 

New Fees

From 1^st January, our fee schedule will be changing. Unfortunately due to the rising cost of things such as food and energy bills we are having to raise the fees.  This is not a decision we take lightly. Copies of the new fees will be given to you by the team.

Nativity

We are all very excited about our Nativity show on Thursday! We are looking forward to seeing you at either 9.30 or 4.30. If you would like a reminder of which performance you have booked please let me know. Due to the high numbers please only attend the performance you have booked. As space is limited you may wish to leave bags/coats at home.

Christmas parties!

The children’s Christmas party is on Thursday 20^th December at 3.30 – 5.30. If your child is not in on that day they will need an adult to accompany them. If your child is in, come along anyway! Father Christmas will be here from 4.30 to deliver the gifts. Siblings are also welcome, however we will need you to provide a gift from Father Christmas so they don’t miss out.

 

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:

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/

 

Buttercups

Monday – Emma H’s group will be working on their social skills, as they play together.

Tuesday – Nilem’s group are exploring toys with buttons

Wednesday – Emma J’s group are developing basic maths skills as they explore shapes.

Thursday – Nilem’s group are getting creative as they make big pictures.

Friday- Charlotte’s group are singing songs such as “Twinkle, Twinkle” and “Jingle Bells”

Emma H is off Monday, Tuesday and Thursday,  Nilem is off Friday, Emma J is off Monday, Leanne is in all week and Charlotte is off Friday.

 

Bluebells

Monday – Donna’s group are developing language skills as they read stories together.

Tuesday –Donna’s group will be having fun playing with the dolls and doll house.

Wednesday – Donna’ group is using toys to help develop counting skills.

Thursday – Cristina’s group will be singing along to Christmas songs.

Friday – Cristina’s group are cutting and sticking to make pictures.

Donna is off Friday, Cristina is off Wednesday, Chloe M is off Wednesday and Rose is in all week.

 

Sunflowers

The topic for November and December is ‘Winter and Winter Festivals’. If you have anything at home that links to this topic please can we have it for our interest table? Please make sure any items brought in are labelled.

Our books of the Fortnight are:

3^rd-10^th December – Penguin by Polly Dunbar

17^th – 24^th December – How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers

Monday – Jess’s group will be reading our book of the fortnight.

Tuesday – Chloe’s group are using a camera as they develop their ICT skills

Wednesday – Jess’s group is talking about different types of weather as they build their understanding of the world.

Thursday – Alison’s group are taking part in a discussion on being healthy.

Friday – Josie’s group will be using the instruments and props during music time.

Jess is off Monday, Josie is off Tuesday, Alison does 9.30-2.30 Monday to Thursday and Chloe W is in all week.

 

We have our staff Christmas party this weekend, so we are getting in the festive mood!

Week commencing 26th November

Dear Parents,

 

Nativity

The children have been very busy rehearsing the nativity over the last few days and are looking forward to performing it for you all on 6^th December!  Please can you send in your child’s costume next week so we can do a dress rehearsal.  If you need any help with finding a costume just let us know. 

 

Congratulations Nilem!

This week we celebrated Nilem’s 5 Years of Service at Castle Nursery, the children made cards and we ate some yummy cake! Well done Nilem!!

 

Illness

Unfortunately we still have the cough, heavy cold and high temperature virus going round, please keep your child off if they are not well enough to come to nursery.

 

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:

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/

 

Buttercups

Monday – Charlotte’s group are playing hiding and finding games with cuddly toys and blankets.

Tuesday – Nilem’s group will be developing their imaginations as they play with the toy oven, utensils, tea set and pretend food.

Wednesday – Emma H’s group are practising their balance and coordination through using the push along toys and soft play equipment.

Thursday – Emma J’s group will be playing with the emotion dolls in the hide-away cube and exploring their own expressions as they look in mirrors. 

Friday – Emma H’s group are sharing books together in the cosy corner and talking about the pictures on the pages.

Emma H is off Monday, Tuesday and Thursday,  Nilem is off Friday, Emma J is off Monday, Leanne is in all week and Charlotte is off Friday.

 

Bluebells

Monday – Cristina’s group are practising dressing and undressing the baby dolls.

Tuesday – Donna’s group will be reading books in the story corner and discussing what is happening in the book to develop their language.

Wednesday – Donna’s group are extending their counting skills through singing number rhymes.

Thursday – Chloe’s group will be reading the ‘Shark in the Park’ story,  joining in with the words and discussing what happens next.

Friday – Cristina’s group are developing their listening skills by playing ‘Simon Says’ in the garden.

Donna is off Friday, Cristina is off Thursday, Chloe M is off Wednesday and Rose is in all week.

 

Sunflowers

The topic for November and December is ‘Winter and Winter Festivals’. If you have anything at home that links to this topic please can we have it for our interest table? Please make sure any items brought in are labelled.

Our books of the Fortnight are:

19^th- 26^th November – Laura’s Star by Klaus Baumgart

3^rd-10^th December – Penguin by Polly Dunbar

17^th – 24^th December – How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers

 

On Thursday one of our past parents is coming in to read the nativity story with the Sunflowers. The children really enjoyed this last year so we thought it would be nice to do it again.

Monday – Josie’s group are going to be collecting different objects from around the room, counting and writing down the number of objects.

Tuesday – Chloe’s group will be practising writing their own names and talking about the letters in their names.

Wednesday – Jess’s group are creating 3D Christmas presents for their Christmas display with boxes, glue, paint and wrapping paper.

Thursday – Alison will be observing her groups listening skills and discussion as they join in with the story of the nativity.

Friday  - Josie’s group will be exploring different media and materials as they make their own Scottish flags for St Andrew’s Day.

Jess is off Monday, Josie is off Tuesday, Alison does 9.30-2.30 Monday to Thursday and Chloe W is in all week.

 

We are looking forward to welcoming back Caroline from her holiday on Thursday!

 

Have a fun weekend

 

Charlotte.

 

 

 

 

 

Week commencing 19th November

Dear Parents,

 

Celebrating Diwali

This week we have been celebrating Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.  The children enjoyed dressing up in Saris, exploring curry scented playdough, decorating candles and eating curry for tea by candlelight. 

 

Changes to pudding menus

There have been some minor changes made to our puddings to make our weekly menus even healthier!  Please see the menus on the communication boards in each of the rooms for the new puddings.

 

Illness

A couple of children have had Tonsillitis and we also have had 2 cases of head lice.  If you discover your child has head lice we ask for their hair to be treated before coming back into nursery.  There are a variety of different treatment lotions or mousses available from pharmacies.  

 

 

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:

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/

 

Buttercups

Monday – Charlotte’s group are investigating natural objects as they play with treasure baskets.

Tuesday – Nilem’s group will be playing peek-a-boo games as they look at the ‘Where’s Spot?’ book and developing vocabulary by naming the animals in the pictures.  

Wednesday – Emma J’s group are developing awareness about themselves by pointing to and naming the parts of their body

Thursday – Charlotte’s group are exploring textures and marks as they play with paints.

Friday – Emma H’s group will be investigating playdough with a range of modelling tools to encourage their fine motor skills.

Emma H is off Tuesday and Thursday,  Nilem is off Monday and Friday, Emma J is off Monday and Thursday, Leanne is in all week and Charlotte is off Friday.

 

Bluebells

Monday - Donna’s group will be looking at family books in the role play area and talking about their own families.

Tuesday – Donna’s group are exploring media and materials as they create pictures using assorted paints, sponges and rollers.

Wednesday – Cristina’s group will be joining in with saying words and phrases whilst reading the ‘Shark in the Park’ story.

Thursday – Chloe’s group will be talking about different emotions and making a variety of facial expressions in mirrors.

Friday – Cristina’s group are practising taking turns as they throw balls into buckets.

Donna is off Friday, Cristina is off Thursday, Chloe M is off Wednesday and Rose is in all week.

 

Sunflowers

The topic for November and December is ‘Winter and Winter Festivals’. If you have anything at home that links to this topic please can we have it for our interest table? Please make sure any items brought in are labelled.

Our books of the Fortnight are:

19^th- 26^th November – Laura’s Star by Klaus Baumgart

3^rd-10^th December – Penguin by Polly Dunbar

17^th – 24^th December – How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers

 

Monday – Chloe’s group will be singing songs and expressing themselves through music, movement and dance.

Tuesday – Alison’s group are talking about how different animals move and how we can move in different ways.

Wednesday – Jess’s group will be reading the story ‘Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?’ talking about their favourite parts and drawing pictures of ‘Brown Bear’.

Thursday – Jess’s group are using the number magnets to encourage number recognition and counting.

Friday  - Josie’s group will be discussing and describing the members of their families.

Jess is off Monday, Josie is off Tuesday, Alison does 9.30-2.30 Monday to Thursday and Chloe W is in all week.

 

Have a great weekend!

 Charlotte

Week commencing 12th November

 

 

Dear Parents

 

Castle Nursery in the news!

Castle Nursery’s 17^th Birthday party featured in the Surrey Advertiser last Friday.  If you missed the article we have displayed a copy of it on our parent’s notice board for you all to see.

 

Illness

We have had several children poorly this week, symptoms include a high temperature, cold and cough.  Hopefully this illness doesn’t last long and everyone will be feeling better soon.

 

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:

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/

 

Buttercups

Monday – Charlotte’s group will be looking at ‘lift the flap’ books and discovering the hidden animals.

Tuesday – Emma J’s group will be practising their walking skills using the brick trolley and push along toys.

Wednesday – Emma H’s group are building tall towers with the building bricks.

Thursday – Nilem’s group will be collecting leaves in the garden and using them for a printing activity.

Friday – Emma J’s group are exploring shapes and spaces through balancing the water blocks on top of one another.

Charlotte is off Friday, Emma H is off Tuesday and Thursday, Nilem is off Friday, Emma J is off Monday and Leanne is in all week

 

Bluebells

Monday - Donna’s group will be developing their vocabulary as they choose and read their favourite books.

Tuesday – Cristina’s group are playing football in the garden to encourage their balance and coordination.

Wednesday – Cristina’s group will be extending their knowledge of animals as they explore the small world farm and sing the song ‘Old MacDonald had a farm’.

Thursday – Donna’s group will be spending time in the role play area together as they care for the dolls.

Friday – Chloe’s group are singing counting songs and rhymes to encourage their understanding of numbers.

Donna is off Friday, Cristina is off Thursday, Chloe is off Wednesday and Rose is in all week.

 

Sunflowers

The topic for November and December is ‘Winter and Winter Festivals’. If you have anything at home that links to this topic please can we have it for our interest table? Please make sure any items brought in are labelled.

Our books of the Fortnight are:

5^th – 12^th November – Big Bear Little Bear by David Bedford and Jane Chapman

19^th- 26^th November – Laura’s Star by Klaus Baumgart

3^rd-10^th December – Penguin by Polly Dunbar

17^th – 24^th December – How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers

Monday – Jess’s group are going to be talking about Remembrance Day and making poppies and red playdough.

Tuesday – Chloe’s group are decorating candles for Diwali using different coloured paints, pens and glitter.

Wednesday – Josie will be leading an activity on number recognition with the compare bears.

Thursday – Alison’s group will be talking about their favourite movies, discussing what happens in the movie and the characters in it.

Friday  - Jess’s group will be playing the alphabet fishing game to encourage letter recognition.

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

 

I’m sure Caroline is having a lovely time on holiday in the sun!  She is back in a couple of weeks.  If you have any queries please come and see me.

 

Have a good weekend

 

Charlotte

Week Commencing 5th November

Dear Parents

 

Nativity

If you haven’t already signed up to see the Nativity please do so! We only have morning performance spaces left now, the signup sheets are in the hallway.

The Babies will be playing Angels, the Bluebells will be Stars. The Sunflower children have the main parts of the performance.  We would like you to provide the costumes but if you have any problems we are happy to help.

We will be allowing photographs (not videos) to be taken so if you would rather your child did not participate please let us know.

If your child is not in on that day you do not need to bring them in for both performances, just the one you are attending.

 

Autumn Fun

This week we have been having tea by pumpkin light!

 

Stoke Park fireworks and torch procession are on Monday 5^th November so traffic may be busy!

Don’t forget to check out this week’s Surrey Advertiser so see if the Nursery’s 17^th birthday party gets a mention!

 

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:

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/

 

Buttercups

Monday – Charlotte’s group are dancing to Salsa music and playing with the ribbons.

Tuesday – Emma J’s group will be having a cosy time as they read books in the story corner.

Wednesday – Emma H’s group is playing with the small world toys.

Thursday – Nilem’s group are exploring the soft play equipment and tent and tunnel.

Friday – Charlotte’s group will be singing number songs to develop an awareness of numbers.

Charlotte is off Monday and Tuesday, Emma H is off Tuesday and Thursday, Nilem is off Friday, Emma J is off Monday and Leanne is in all week

 

Bluebells

Monday - Donna’s group are burning off some of that energy as they join in with Little Sports stars.

Tuesday – Cristina’s group are building friendships as they play a sharing game.

Wednesday – Cristina’s group are expressing themselves through art as they enjoy painting.

Thursday – Donna’s group will be exploring the small world toys.

Friday – Chloe’s group is developing their listening skills as they play the Animal Soundtracks game.

Donna is off Friday, Cristina is off Thursday, Chloe is off Wednesday and Rose is in all week.

 

Sunflowers

The Sunflowers would like to start French lessons on Wednesday mornings from January. This would be at an additional charge of £3.00 per French lesson. We will only be able to run the class with a certain number of children so Jess and the Preschool team will be asking parents if you are interested over the next few weeks.

The topic for November and December is ‘Winter and Winter Festivals’. If you have anything at home that links to this topic please can we have it for our interest table? Please make sure any items brought in are labelled.

Our books of the Fortnight are:

5^th – 12^th November – Big Bear Little Bear by David Bedford and Jane Chapman

19^th- 26^th November – Laura’s Star by Klaus Baumgart

3^rd-10^th December – Penguin by Polly Dunbar

17^th – 24^th December – How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers

Monday – Josie’s group are developing their pencil control skills as they practice letters.

Tuesday – Chloe’s group are building their gross motor skills when they tackle an obstacle course.

Wednesday – Alison is leading an activity on lighter and heavier

Thursday – Jess’s group will be making sure our Nativity is sparkly as they make stars

Friday  - Josie’s group are talking about their feelings

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

 

See you in a few weeks!

Caroline